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News, Blog and GuidesLionel Messi has fired his new team to within 90 minutes of Leagues Cup glory. We take a look at their potential starting XI to face Nashville.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Aug 18th, 2023 13:27 EDT
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After a month of fascinating pan-continental action, the 2023 Leagues Cup has reached its grand climax.
Nashville SC will host Inter Miami CF in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday, with both teams looking to win the expanded competition for the first time.
The hosts, Nashville, have shown themselves to be the superior side in MLS this season and currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference. However Inter Miami, bottom in the East, have been rejuvenated by the introduction of Lionel Messi last month.
Alongside Messi, his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have added much-needed quality and experience to the Miami team. They are now many people’s favourites to lift the trophy on Saturday having won all six matches since Messi made his Miami debut.
🗣️ Messi, Busquets, and Alba prepare for another final 🏆 together.The three Inter Miami stars huddled together and spoke briefly prior to the start of the final practice before Saturday’s title game.(Caption the video with what they may have said.)#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/6wsT7nAt4Y
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 18, 2023
Miami have no players suspended and no injury concerns, that we’re aware of, so we expect them to name the same starting XI that beat the Philadelphia Union 4-1 in the semi-final.
Here’s how Inter Miami could line up for the Leagues Cup final…
Drake Callender – Jordi Alba, Kamal Miller, Serhiy Kryvtsov, DeAndre Yedlin – Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Dixon Arroyo – Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez, Lionel Messi
How many goals has Messi scored in the Leagues Cup?
One name who will definitely be on the team sheet for Inter Miami this weekend is Lionel Messi, who now captains the team. The 36-year-old has lost some of his explosive pace but remains an elite performer that can take control of any game.
In six appearances for Inter Miami, all coming in the Leagues Cup, Messi has scored nine goals. His most recent was a 30-yard strike into the bottom corner that put Miami in the driving seat in their semi-final win over Philadelphia.
He leads the scoring charts in the Leagues Cup, two ahead of Minnesota United’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane in second place.
Follow the latest Messi news…
Messi on Liga MX and Mexican soccerThe best of Messi’s press conferenceMessi: “Winning the title would be wonderful for everyone”
Lionel Messi press conference highlights trophy ambitions
When Messi’s move to MLS was announced, just six months after he led Argentina to a World Cup triumph, it was criticised in some corners. Leaving Europe could have signalled the end of Messi’s career at the top level, but in reality he has simply found a new showcase for his extraordinary talents since arriving in Miami.
On Thursday he gave his first press conference since joining the club and sounded positive about the team’s progression.
“We knew that this competition would be a fresh start for everyone,” Messi said.
🗣 Lionel Messi: "Although the Ballon d'Or is a very nice award, I never gave it much importance. The most important thing for me has always been the collective trophies." pic.twitter.com/Mi0tM29p5l
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 17, 2023
“A new coach had arrived, other players had come in and we have settled in thanks to the help of our teammates,” Messi continued.
