Lionel Messi is again, and Inter Miami is smiling. The Argentine celebrity returned from a short spell on the sidelines and delivered a superb efficiency within the semifinal win over Orlando Metropolis, sending the Herons into the 2025 Leagues Cup Last.
Now, Inter Miami has traveled coast-to-coast to face the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Subject, with the aim of successful the Leagues Cup for the second time in membership historical past. Their first triumph got here in 2023, after they lifted the trophy after defeating Nashville SC in a dramatic penalty shootout.
To get right here, Miami endured an extended journey—2,724 miles from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle—a six-hour flight throughout the nation and a three-hour time distinction. On Saturday, the day earlier than the ultimate, Javier Mascherano’s squad held tactical classes and ball work at Lumen Subject, targeted solely on making ready for the most important match of their season.
Messi, Suárez, and De Paul in sync
Messi seemed relaxed and assured forward of the ultimate. Upon arriving on the stadium, he was noticed as typical alongside his shut pal Luis Suárez, sharing mate earlier than coaching. On the pitch, Messi spent a lot of the session with Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, laughing, chatting, and exchanging gestures of calm and unity.
The optimistic ambiance stood in distinction to the same old stress of a ultimate, displaying the worth of Messi’s management and the chemistry inside the squad. For Miami, the trio of Messi, Suárez, and De Paul represents each expertise and firepower in a match that may require composure and creativity.
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Historical past and stakes
For Inter Miami, successful a second Leagues Cup title would solidify the membership’s fast rise since Messi’s arrival in 2023. For Seattle, one in every of MLS’s most profitable franchises, the prospect to win on dwelling soil at Lumen Subject provides additional weight to the ultimate.
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Confirmed lineups for the ultimate
Inter Miami’s XI: Óscar Ustari; Ian Fray, Gonzalo Luján, Maxi Falcón, Jordi Alba; Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets, Yannick Vibrant; Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez.
Seattle Sounders’ XI: Andrew Thomas; Reed Baker-Whiting, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldán; Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldán, Pedro De la Vega, Paul Rothrock; Jesús Ferreira, Osaze De Rosario.
