KIND LION
Watch Lionel Messi’s classy gesture to ex-Premier League ace as stunning goal helps land first trophy for Beckham’s side
LIONEL MESSI inspired his Inter Miami side to their first ever trophy overnight as they beat Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup.
Messi continued his fine form since joining the Miami side when he opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a stunning goal from the edge of the box.
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Nashville's Fabrice-Jean 'Fafa' Picault levelled the scores in the 57th minute with a close-range finish.
With the game level after extra time, the final went to a thrilling penalty shootout which Miami won 10-9.
Messi converted the opening spot kick for his side as they went on to claim their first trophy since their foundation in 2020.
And Messi followed up his star-turn in the game with a classy gesture before the team's trophy lift.
The new Inter Miami captain placed his armband on his predecessor Deandre Yedlin's arm and insisted on doing a joint lift of the Leagues Cup with the American.
Yedlin, who had spells at Tottenham, Sunderland and Newcastle, looked delighted with the gesture.
Co-owner and co-founder of Inter Miami David Beckham spoke of his delight as Messi helped the club secure its first trophy.
Inter Miami were rock bottom of the MLS when Messi rocked up in July, but have won seven on the bounce since his arrival.
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Speaking about his reflections on a whirlwind month, Beckham said: "A lot can happen in five weeks!
"A lot has changed for us, we will enjoy tonight and then we have to look to the future and continue to build.
"We have some of the best players, if not the best player, in the world out there for us wearing pink. We have a bunch of academy players out there too and that is incredibly important.
"It's an emotional night for all of us. It has been a long journey for me. It has been a long journey, I always knew there would be bumps in the road along the way and there was too many, to be honest. Tonight is a night we are going to enjoy."
Ticket prices for the final skyrocketed as Nashville was gripped by Messi-fever ahead of the final with the cheapest tickets at Geodis park costing several hundred dollars.
Despite the costly tickets, the game was still a sell-out event as Messi brought his winning ways to his new club.
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon brought out the ball used in the final and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo took some shots during the warmup.
Both are minority stakeholders in the Nashville franchise.
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