Lionel Messi (left) celebrates his 1-0 win for Miami with his teammate Photo: picture alliance/dpa
From BZ/dpa
Lionel Messi is triumphant again. The world champions from Argentina lead Inter Miami to their first title in a month. Much to the chagrin of Berlin’s Hany Mukhtar.
Lionel Messi hugged David Beckham after the surprising title coup, then his teammates from Inter Miami happily threw him through the air. The world champions from Argentina led the bottom of the table in Major League Soccer to the cup title within a month and inspired American football at lightning speed.
“I’m really happy about the first title in the history of the club. The work and commitment have paid off. Hopefully this is just the beginning,” Messi wrote on Instagram after the 10-9 penalty thriller in the League Cup final against Nashville SC with their Berlin superstar Hany Mukhtar.
Hany Mukthar pokes the ball off Messi’s foot. In the end, the winner was Messi Photo: picture alliance/dpa
The decision came after the 1-1 in regulation time on penalties, which Miami won 10-9. All 22 footballers had to compete, and Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco missed the decisive shot.
In the Nashville final, Messi was again the most striking figure. With another dream goal, he initially put Miami in the lead. Mukhtar, on the other hand, failed several times from a good position.
In the XXL penalty shootout, Messi converted right at the start, Mukhtar followed directly to equalize for Nashville. After 21 more penalties, the drama was over and the first trophy for the Florida Beckham club was perfect. The co-owner, who was instrumental in bringing Messi to the United States this summer, gushed about “incredible nights in pink” – the club’s colour.