For the first time this season, Leo Messi failed to help Inter Miami by scoring a goal or providing an assist in the loss to Los Angeles FC in the first leg. However, he made up for it in the second leg in an extraordinary way, scoring two goals to lead the comeback (3-1) and help Inter Miami reach its first-ever Concachampions semifinals.

Messi Once Again Showed His Unstoppable Form

If Nathan Ordaz’s lone goal in the match played a week ago at the Banc of California Stadium already forced Inter Miami to come from behind in the Chase Stadium, the early goal by Aaron Long last night made things even more complicated. However, instead of giving up, the goal sparked Inter Miami, and especially Messi, whose free-kick goal was disallowed at the 30-minute mark because Lloris was still setting up the wall. However, nothing could stop the brilliant strike by the Argentine to the top corner just five minutes later, reigniting Inter Miami’s hopes.

In the second half, Federico Redondo managed to tie the aggregate score right as the clock hit the 60-minute mark, while Messi continued leading the charge for Inter Miami. Once again, the referee disallowed a goal in which Leo made a fantastic assist to Luis Suárez. But, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Messi himself drew a penalty, which he converted to secure Inter Miami's spot in the Concachampions semifinals.

“He’s the Greatest of All Time and Still Leading by Example”

Since his arrival in the summer of 2023, Leo Messi has made a huge difference at Inter Miami. However, this has surely been his first major night of glory. “Messi is the soul of the team. There’s no doubt about it. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I’ve been his teammate for 20 years, and now I’m helping him in this new stage as a coach. He’s a guy who’s already done it all in football. He’s the greatest of all time, and he’s still setting an example of how to compete. He continues to lead the way and guide the new generations,” said Javier Mascherano after the match against LAFC.

As Mascherano rightly said, Leo Messi continues to show the same competitive drive after having won everything in his career and is by no means just on vacation at Inter Miami. He wants to keep writing the golden early chapters of this team, and the next step to do so will be to overcome Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concachampions semifinals. Let the show continue.