Published : 29 Aug 2025, 03:21 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:43 PM
Lionel Messi admitted he played with “a bit of fear” during his injury return but still delivered two late goals to send Inter Miami into the Leagues Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old forward converted a 77th-minute penalty and added an 88th-minute goal after linking with Jordi Alba at Chase Stadium, ESPN reports.
Miami overturned an early deficit to triumph, despite Orlando's previous 4-1 win over them on Aug 11 without Messi.
“I wanted to be here,” Messi said, despite suffering a right-leg muscle injury earlier this month, according to ESPN.
"When I came back against [LA] Galaxy [on Aug 17] I felt some discomfort, I didn't feel comfortable, but I wanted to play the game.
"It was really important to be here because it's a difficult opponent, they'd beaten us in the two games we played against them this year. In the first half I was playing with a bit of fear, but after that I felt a bit [more] free."
The Herons, who won the Leagues Cup in 2023, now aim for a second title in three years.
In the other semi-final, Seattle advanced with a 2-0 win over LA Galaxy.
The final is set for Sunday.
