Lionel Messi Reaches 42nd Final Of His Career By Leading Inter Miami To Leagues Cup Showpiece

Lionel Messi has reached the 42nd final of his career by leading Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup showpiece. Messi scored in a semi-final win over Philadelphia.

Lionel Messi is potentially just 90 minutes away from leading Inter Miami to the first trophy in the club's history.

Messi scored his ninth goal in six matches since moving to the United States as Miami won 4-1 away at Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

The Argentina captain found the net with a stunning low strike from 30 yards in the 20th minute, after Josef Martinez had given Miami an early lead.

Jordi Alba then made it 3-0 just before half-time by scoring his first goal in the USA following an excellent off-the-ball run from inside his own half.

Alejandro Bedoya pulled a goal back for Philadelphia moments after coming on as a 71st-minute substitute.

But David Ruiz wrapped up a famous win for Miami following a DeAndre Yedlin assist seven minutes from the end.

#InterMiamiCF will play for a trophy on Saturday.

Next stop: @LeaguesCup Final! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DkDzqKpiKO

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2023

Lionel Messi pictured (center) scoring for Inter Miami against Philadelphia Union in the semi-finals of the 2023 Leagues Cup :: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Ricky Fitchett

Miami will face either Monterrey or Nashville in the final on Saturday.

That will be the 42nd final of Messi's career.

Messi has so far been victorious in 29 of the 41 finals he has taken part in to date.

His most recent final was a memorable one as it saw Argentina beat France in a penalty shootout to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina captain Messi pictured during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final :: IMAGO/Xinhua/Cao Can

That was Messi's second appearance in a World Cup final, having been on the losing side against Germany in 2014.

Messi played in 31 cup finals for Barcelona, including three in the UEFA Champions League.

In addition to his two World Cup finals with Argentina, Messi has competed in four Copa America finals, one Finalissima and one Olympic gold medal match. He also played for Argentina's U20 side in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship final.

Messi only featured in one final during his two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, starring in a 4-0 victory over Nantes in the 2022 Trophee des Champions game.

By reaching the final of the Leagues Cup, Miami have gained qualification to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.