Inter Miami are only two games away from making the Leagues Cup final - an feat that would've been considered unfathomable before Lionel Messi announced his decision to join the Herons.
Messi, along with Sergio Busquets and now Jordi Alba, have completely transformed the Miami side, as they're yet to lose with the 2022 World Cup winner in their squad.
When combined with new head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who has coaching experience with Messi at Barcelona and Argentina, it's no surprise that Miami are starting to build momentum in the competition ahead of the return of Major League Soccer later this month.
Here's how Martino's side could etch their names in the Leagues Cup history books.
Group stage - South 3
What other way for Messi to announce himself to the world as an Inter Miami player than by scoring a stoppage-time free kick to lift his team over Cruz Azul? Despite Miami taking the lead in the first half of the game, Cruz Azul were the better side - until the longtime Barcelona legend entered the game alongside Busquets and Josef Martinez. Messi's late heroics - which has become a theme for the Herons - propelled them to a 2-1 triumph over the Liga MX side.
Miami and Messi made easy work of fellow MLS outfit Atlanta United, who have their own star playmaker that goes by the name of Thiago Almada. However, Almada and Atlanta allowed Messi and Busquets too much space to operate in their first start for the Herons. Both Messi and Robert Taylor bagged a brace as Miami cruised to a 4-0 victory.
Round of 32
Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City
Miami seemed destined for another comfortable win as Messi found the back of the net in the seventh minute against Orlando City, but instead, Cesar Araujo found the equalizing strike ten minutes later in what turned out to be a heated rivalry game between the MLS' two Florida based sides.
Messi found himself booked in the first half, and many fans took to social media to voice their opinion that he should've been sent off for a challenge that was away from play.
But that wouldn't stop Martino's men from finishing the job, as Martinez would go to convert a penalty kick that he won right as the second half started. Messi finished the job and sealed Miami's place in the round of 16 by volleying home a shot with his weaker foot after some clever link-up play with Martinez.
Round of 16
FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami (3-5 on pens)
There's no doubt that Miami's encounter with FC Dallas in the round of 16 has been the most entertaining and dramatic game that we've seen Messi feature in thus far.
Messi opened the scoring with a left-footed curling effort that went straight into the bottom corner, a goal that was very similar to the one he scored in the 2017 El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu in the dying moments.
But Dallas went on to respond with two unanswered goals right before half-time, as Miami's suspect defense was bound to give out eventually. Alan Velasco put Dallas in front 3-1 before super-sub Benjamin Cremaschi entered the game and scored immediately bringing the game back to a one-score contest.
An own goal from Taylor sunk the Herons, but only for a short amount of time. Messi sent in a cross from a set piece that was turned into the goal by Dallas' Marco Farfan, bringing Miami back within one goal. Then, as normal time started to reach the 90-minute mark, Messi stepped up to take a free kick in dangerous territory. The 36-year-old did what everyone was anticipating - he struck the ball so cleanly as it went up and over the Dallas wall before finding the top corner, as the Texan side's goalkeeper Maarten Paes could do absolutely nothing about it.
As the two sides were knotted at 4-4 at the end of regulation, a penalty shootout ensued. The visiting Inter Miami went on to triumph in the shootout, 5-3, as Cremaschi converted his winning penalty with ease.
Quarter-final
Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC
After playing in his first away game as an Inter Miami player, Messi now gears up to play at home yet again against Charlotte FC with a trip to the semi-finals at stake.
While Miami will be favorites at their home ground DRV PNK Stadium, Charlotte FC shouldn't be taken lightly, especially with the Herons' leaky defense. The matchup promises to contain goals at either end of the pitch and could go right down to the wire.
Semi-final
Inter Miami / Charlotte FC vs Philadelphia Union / Queretaro
Should Inter Miami progress to the semi-final, they would take on the winner of Philadelphia Union vs Queretaro on August 15 in their biggest test yet with Messi in their ranks.
A matchup with Philadelphia Union would more than likely be another physical battle like their previous game with Orlando City. Jim Curtin's side are typically compact and defensive and could cause Miami a lot of problems on the counter-attack given how the Herons like to control possession and play the game on their terms.
On the other hand, if Queretaro advance to the semi-final instead of Philadelphia, we could still see another feisty encounter. The Liga MX outfit have already knocked off foes Club Tijuana and Pumas UNAM to reach the quarter-finals, and they could pose a threat to Miami's title hopes.
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This article was originally published on 90min as How Inter Miami and Lionel Messi can reach the 2023 Leagues Cup final .
