Lionel Messi was a camouflaged predator until he found his moment, leading Inter Miami to the MLS Cup crown Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
, Dec. 6 Lionel Messi was a camouflaged predator until he found his moment, leading Inter Miami to the MLS Cup crown Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The famous No. 10, who was often enveloped by Vancouver Whitecaps white jerseys, limiting his potency, weathered the pressure until finally breaking through — but it came as a key contributor.
Messi’s clutch steal and two assists in the second half of the 3-1 triumph at Chase Stadium proved to be lethal shrapnel for the Herons’ northern visitors.
Striker Tadeo Allende and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul scored for Miami. With his goal, Allende set an MLS record for the most scores (nine) in a single postseason.
But it was a steal from the Herons’ eight-time Ballon d’Or winner that changed the game. Messi skipped through the grass on his right boot, while using his magic left to pick the ball off Andres Cubas’ cleat in the 71st minute.
