The club’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami this season, shared a message on social media after his team’s exit from the League Cup 1/2 finals. He spoke to supporters about the moment with a tone that mixed pride and resolve, emphasizing the bond he feels with the squad and the fans. His post reflected a belief that the journey is ongoing and that every challenge is a chance to grow, especially in a league that has welcomed a global icon with open arms.
“To the semi-finals! I had a great time with the team,” Messi wrote, underscoring the camaraderie and the collective effort that propelled Inter Miami to that stage. The sentiment captured more than a simple scoreline; it signaled a shared experience, the sweat and spirits of a squad learning to compete at a high level in a brand-new chapter of their franchise history. The reply from fans and teammates echoed the same energy, celebrating moments of magic and the hard work that carried them this far.
In the quarterfinals, Inter Miami faced the Charlotte club in a match staged at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, a venue that has become a fortress for the team this season. The home side delivered a commanding performance, sealing a 4-0 victory that highlighted both offensive firepower and defensive organization. From the opening whistle, the hosts pressed high, created chances, and converted at crucial moments, leaving little room for resistance as the celebrations began early and continued late into the night.
Scoring unfolded with Josef Martínez converting a penalty to open the scoring, followed by a strike from Robert Taylor that reinforced the lead. Adilson Malanda added an own goal, expanding the cushion, before Lionel Messi capped the night with his contribution. The sequence marked Messi’s fifth consecutive game with a goal for the club, a testament to his ongoing impact and the way his presence elevates the entire team. By that point, Messi had tallied eight goals for Inter Miami, a tally that the club publicly welcomed as a sign of a thriving attacking dynamic and a growing sense of belonging for him within the squad and the league.
Inter Miami’s path to the League Cup semifinals now leads to a clash against the winner of the Philadelphia Union versus Queretaro tie. That semifinal pairing promises a stern test, pitting a seasoned MLS powerhouse against a foreign opponent in a bid to reach the final and lift the trophy. The format of the competition has allowed the team to test cohesion and strategy under pressure, while also giving fans a platform to witness how this star-studded lineup adapts to knockout football in the United States and Canada.
Messi’s transfer to the American club occurred during a transformative summer, following his tenure in Europe, where he spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. The move to MLS signaled a new chapter in his career, with a contract that reflected the league’s growing appeal to marquee players. In his time with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi contributed 16 goals and 16 assists across 32 league appearances in the prior season, underscoring his continued capability to influence games even as he shifted to a different style of competition and a different footballing environment. The transition to Inter Miami has been characterized by immediate impact, leadership on the field, and a broader role in expanding the club’s profile on the continental stage.
Before Messi took center stage for the club, the team had already shown signs of mounting momentum, and the added firepower from their record-breaking signing has been a catalyst for renewed confidence across the organization. As the campaign progresses, observers are watching closely how the squad builds chemistry, maintains physical demands, and translates individual brilliance into consistent results in domestic tournaments and beyond.