Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains the center of attention in world football. At 38 years old and still dealing with physical discomfort, the Argentine captain led Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over Orlando City, in the Florida derby that secured Las Garzas a spot in the Leagues Cup final.

The star not only scored a brace in a tense match but also made a candid confession afterwards: “In the first half I felt afraid, but in the second I loosened up a bit more.”

A shaky start and a triumphant finish

Orlando City struck first through Marco Pasalic, putting Inter under pressure in a first half where they struggled to find rhythm. Messi looked cautious, pacing himself and lacking sharpness due to the muscle problems that had sidelined him in recent games.

But in the second half, the World Cup winner took control. In the 77th minute, he converted a penalty won by Tadeo Allende. His well-placed left-footed strike left Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese with no chance.

The eruption came in the 88th minute, when Messi combined with Jordi Alba in a textbook play, finishing with a low shot across goal for the 2-1 lead. The final blow came from Telasco Segovia, assisted by Luis Suárez, sealing the 3-1 result.

Revenge against Orlando and a path to the title

The victory carried extra weight: Inter Miami avenged two recent defeats to Orlando (3-0 and 4-1). With Messi in charge, the team showed character and booked a place in the final to be played on August 31, where the pink side will chase what would be their third trophy since Messi’s arrival—after the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.

Messi celebrated with his teammates before running to the sideline for an emotional embrace with his sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro—a snapshot that capped a magical night at Chase Stadium.

Messi’s confession: from fear to glory

Speaking to the official broadcast, Messi was open: “I wanted to be there. Since I came back against Galaxy I felt discomfort and I didn’t feel comfortable. I prepared myself to play because of how important the match was, against a tough opponent that had already beaten us. In the first half I felt afraid, but in the second half I loosened up a bit more.”

The Argentine’s honesty revealed the human side behind another masterclass that now brings Inter closer to yet another title.