![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/inter-miami-forward-lionel-messi-839005399.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/defender-deandre-yedlin-r-presented-839019022.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/co-owner-david-beckham-hugs-839014173.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLIONEL MESSI inspired his Inter Miami side to their first ever trophy overnight as they beat Nashville SC to win the Leagues Cup.<\/p>\n
Messi continued his fine form since joining the Miami side when he opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a stunning goal from the edge of the box.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
Nashville's Fabrice-Jean 'Fafa' Picault levelled the scores in the 57th minute with a close-range finish.<\/p>\n
With the game level after extra time, the final went to a thrilling penalty shootout which Miami won 10-9.<\/p>\n
Messi converted the opening spot kick for his side as they went on to claim their first trophy since their foundation in 2020.<\/p>\n
And Messi followed up his star-turn in the game with a classy gesture before the team's trophy lift.<\/p>\n
The new Inter Miami captain placed his armband on his predecessor Deandre Yedlin's arm and insisted on doing a joint lift of the Leagues Cup with the American.<\/p>\n
Yedlin, who had spells at Tottenham, Sunderland and Newcastle, looked delighted with the gesture.<\/p>\n
Co-owner and co-founder of Inter Miami David Beckham spoke of his delight as Messi helped the club secure its first trophy.<\/p>\n
Inter Miami were rock bottom of the MLS when Messi rocked up in July, but have won seven on the bounce since his arrival.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Speaking about his reflections on a whirlwind month, Beckham said: "A lot can happen in five weeks!<\/p>\n "A lot has changed for us, we will enjoy tonight and then we have to look to the future and continue to build.<\/p>\n "We have some of the best players, if not the best player, in the world out there for us wearing pink. We have a bunch of academy players out there too and that is incredibly important.<\/p>\n "It's an emotional night for all of us. It has been a long journey for me. It has been a long journey, I always knew there would be bumps in the road along the way and there was too many, to be honest. Tonight is a night we are going to enjoy."<\/p>\n Ticket prices for the final skyrocketed as Nashville was gripped by Messi-fever ahead of the final with the cheapest tickets at Geodis park costing several hundred dollars.<\/p>\n Despite the costly tickets, the game was still a sell-out event as Messi brought his winning ways to his new club.<\/p>\n Nashville native Reese Witherspoon brought out the ball used in the final and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo\u00a0took some shots during the warmup.<\/p>\n Both are minority stakeholders in the Nashville franchise.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/TM-comp-charles-camilla.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nGive Lionesses gongs for heroics in World Cup, MPs demand ahead of final<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/off-plat-ratings-Mount-copy.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nOnana shines as Mount goes missing AGAIN in crushing defeat to Spurs<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/newspress-collage-23557609-1692460253237.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nPrince William and Princess Charlotte send good luck message to Lionesses<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/crop-23557545.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nFans fear Ramsey curse could strike again as ex-Arsenal star scores thunderbolt<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n