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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Luis Miguel Echegaray

For Lionel Messi and Inter Miami MLS Cup, not league success, rules all

nter Miami FC forward Lionel Messi (R) and Inter Miami FC midfielder Rodrigo De Paul celebrate a goal during the soccer match between the Inter Miami CF and the Seattle Sounders FC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 16 September 2025.
Inter Miami have enough games in hand to make a run at the Supporters’ Shield title in 2025. Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA

Much about Tuesday night in Fort Lauderdale was typical. The weather was sticky and humid. The crowd at Chase Stadium was lively. And on the field, Lionel Messi assisted Jordi Alba, and vice-versa, in a 3-1 win for Inter Miami. That the victory came against the Seattle Sounders, the side that beat Miami in a contentious Leagues Cup final two weeks ago, gave the squad a measure of revenge. But there are bigger factors at play.

“It was important to regain positive feelings,” Miami head coach Javier Mascherano told reporters afterward.

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