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Inter Miami is set to begin its campaign in this year’s Leagues Cup later this week, aiming to secure a second title in the tournament’s history. The club’s star player, Lionel Messi, who led Miami to their inaugural Leagues Cup victory in 2023, has returned to club action following Argentina’s narrow miss at clinching back-to-back World Cup titles.
Messi returns to the pitch as MLS resumes
Following a month-long break across Major League Soccer to accommodate the World Cup, the league will pause briefly once again as 18 MLS teams face off against 18 clubs from Liga MX in a 36-team international competition. This tournament will stretch through September, with the opening stage scheduled over the coming week and a half.
Among the MLS participants, Inter Miami stands out as a contender eager to add another Leagues Cup trophy to their cabinet. Their first triumph in the tournament came with the arrival of Messi, marking the club’s debut title since joining MLS in 2020. Although Miami reached the Leagues Cup final again last year, they fell to the Seattle Sounders, narrowly missing out on a second consecutive win.
Messi’s impact at Inter Miami was immediate and memorable. Making his debut in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, the Argentine maestro entered as a substitute during a tightly contested 1-1 game. In stoppage time, he delivered a stunning free kick, instantly embedding himself into the club’s history and sparking hope for further success.
As the Leagues Cup unfolds, all eyes will be on Messi and Inter Miami as they seek to build on their previous achievements and pursue another prestigious trophy on the North American stage.
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