The Seattle Sounders claimed the 2025 Leagues Cup title in emphatic style, defeating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 3-0 in entrance of a packed crowd at Lumen Area. For Javier Mascherano’s facet, it was an evening outlined by errors—defensive lapses, poor ending, and an absence of composure—that value them the possibility at what would have been Messi’s third trophy in Main League Soccer.
For Messi personally, the defeat goes down as one of the crucial painful nights of his membership profession. Not often has the Argentine legend misplaced a closing by such a heavy margin. Comparisons have been drawn to the 2007 Copa América closing, when Argentina fell 3-0 to Brazil. However in membership competitors, this was Messi’s most lopsided loss in a championship match, made even more durable by the truth that Inter Miami followers have been current in massive numbers, regardless of Seattle’s home-field benefit.
The fallout from the defeat was swift. Hours after the ultimate, switch insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Benja Cremaschi will depart Inter Miami for Parma in Serie A. The Italian membership can pay for a mortgage cope with an choice to purchase price as much as €4.5 million.
Cremaschi, 20, is a U.S. worldwide with Argentine roots. He’s set to bear medicals in Italy earlier than finishing the transfer. His departure marks the first main exit of the Mascherano period, and it comes at a tough time for a staff reeling from its heaviest defeat since Messi’s arrival.
Throughout his time in Miami, Cremaschi made 99 official appearances, scoring 8 targets and offering 9 assists. He was a part of the squad that gained the 2023 Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Defend in 2024. The choice to purchase just isn’t obligatory, that means his long-term future will depend upon how he performs in Italy between now and June 30, 2026.
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Lionel Messi sends key message to Inter Miami after Leagues Cup closing defeat vs. Seattle Sounders
What’s subsequent for Messi and Inter Miami
Whereas Cremaschi departs, Messi and Inter Miami should shortly flip the web page. The membership sits sixth within the Japanese Convention with 4 video games in hand, trailing leaders Charlotte FC by 11 factors. 9 matches stay earlier than the MLS Playoffs, together with key fixtures towards Seattle, Toronto, Atlanta, and Nashville.
For Messi, the problem now’s to regroup after one of many hardest defeats of his profession. With playoffs looming, the Argentine captain should refocus on guiding Inter Miami towards one other shot at silverware—this time in Main League Soccer’s postseason.
