Lionel Messi on Sunday became the most decorated player in the history of the game, winning 44 trophies in a span of almost two decades as he guided Inter Miami to their first ever Leagues Cup win.
The Argentinian won his first trophy as a 17 year old in 2004-05 when Barcelona lifted the La Liga. It’s been a trophy-laden way for Messi since, with the left-footed magician winning ever silverware there is to win.
Messi overtook former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves who had won 43 trophies in his career.
By spearheading his side to victory, Messi got his hands on the 44th trophy of his illustrious career and the first of his Inter Miami stint – making him the most decorated footballer of all time.
The 2022 World Cup winner left Spanish side Barcelona after winning 35 trophies. He went to Paris next and won three trophies there.
He has won five trophies for the Argentina national team including the World Cup 2022.
Messi won his first trophy for Inter Miami after moving to United States after an 11-round penalty shootout following a 1-1 regulation draw against Nashville SC. The Argentine was also awarded the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament award after scoring 10 goals across seven matches for the Herons.
Messi also scored a stunner for Miami, curling the ball into the top corner of the goal from the edge of the box.
It was the 23rd minute of the match. Inter Miami sprung an attack from the midfield with inter-changing passes. Messi received the ball in the edge of the box when the Inter Miami left winger’s pass was blocked by the Nashville’s defence. The ball came to Messi who was arriving from the right-wing. With a flurry of defenders between him and the goal, it seemed Messi magic would have to take a back-seat.
Instead, Messi produced a body feint and dribbled past a defender who came outside the box to block the shot. With five defenders inside the box, Messi unleashed a vicious curler from his left-foot which left the defenders of Nashville in no-mans-land. The Nashville goalkeeper couldn’t get anywhere near the ball even after diving at full stretch as the ball found the top corner of the goal.
