The story of Lionel Messi guiding Inter Miami to Leagues Cup final

This is Lionel Messi's real quiz.

Sure, the multitude of honours he claimed at Barcelona were cool, and his World Cup fairytale in Qatar was legacy-cementing, but this is what the little boy from Rosario really dreamed of accomplishing on his way to GOAT status.

After conquering Europe in Catalonia and subsequently the globe with Argentina, Messi moved on to the sunny beaches of Miami in the summer of 2023, with the Herons now just one game away from Leagues Cup glory.

The great one has scored nine goals in six games and led Inter Miami into the final. Here's a reminder of their journey so far ahead of Saturday's showpiece event against Nashville.

Cruz Azul 1-2 Inter Miami - Group stage

With MLS taking it's mid-season break in mid-July, Messi's Inter Miami career began in the Leagues Cup, although he only played the last 30 minutes on his debut as the Herons faced Mexican side Cruz Azul in their first game of the group stage.

With the score locked at 1-1 heading into stoppage time, Messi delivered the most vintage of moments as he beautifully curled home a free-kick from 25 yards to ensure his side's campaign got off to the perfect start.

Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United - Group stage

Miami took on more familiar opposition in their second and final group game as they welcomed Atlanta United across the state line from Georgia.

This was far from a competitive contest as Messi took complete control. The Argentine bagged a distinctly simple brace in the opening 22 minutes as the Herons claimed a 4-0 triumph. This was also the first time we saw Messi combine with new best friend Robert Taylor, who set up his second goal.

Sergio Busquets also made his first start.

Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City - Round of 32

Two wins from two meant Inter Miami progressed into the round of 32 as winners of the South 3 group and they were paired against South 2 group victors Orlando City with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Once again, MLS opposition were sunk by Messi's majesty with the Orlando defence refusing to track the 36-year-old into the box early on as he gave his side the lead. The visitors drew level in the first half, but a Josef Martinez penalty and another Messi goal ensured Miami's progression.

FC Dallas 4-4 (3-5p) Inter Miami - Round of 16

This was undoubtedly Miami's stiffest test of the competition so far. After he gave his side the lead (again), FC Dallas rallied and took a 3-1 lead just after the hour mark.

Young Benjamin Cremaschi pulled one back for the Herons but a Robert Taylor own goal extended Dallas' lead once more. A Dallas own goal with ten minutes remaining then set up a grandstand finish and of course it was Messi who bagged the crucial equaliser when his team needed him most.

Another delightful free-kick sent the contest to penalties, and Messi's side were perfect from the spot, with the Argentine and Busquets scoring the first two kicks. Paxton Pomykal decisively missed for the home side.

Inter Miami 4-0 FC Charlotte - Quarter-finals

Not even Scott Arfield and Ashley Westwood could prevent themselves from succumbing to Messi mania.

Inter Miami were three goals to the good before Messi got on the scoresheet, with Martinez and Taylor both finding the back of the net. The diminutive genius wrapped up the Herons' emphatic quarter-final win with a simple tap-in with four minutes remaining.

Philadelphia Union 1-4 Inter Miami - Semi-finals

For the fourth time in the competition, Inter Miami fittingly scored four times as they breezed past Philadelphia Union - who currently sit third in the Eastern Conference of MLS - to reach the Leagues Cup final.

The impressive Martinez got the ball rolling for Messi's men as he thumped home an early opener. The man himself then extended Miami's lead after 20 minutes with a pinpoint effort from distance before Jordi Alba scored his first goal for the club just before half-time.

Philadelphia threatened a resurgence in the second half and eventually pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining, but David Ruiz sealed Miami's victory after finishing off a move started by the most languid of Messi passes.

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