The Concacaf Champions Cup may not boast the glamour of other soccer competitions, but for Lionel Messi, embarking on his inaugural full season with Inter Miami, it holds considerable significance. Thursday night proved to be pivotal as it delivered Messi and his teammates their first substantial challenges of 2024. By halftime, they found themselves in a daunting predicament, trailing 2-0 on the road against Nashville SC.
However, Messi and Luis Suarez orchestrated a remarkable comeback for Inter, salvaging a dramatic 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Round of 16.
Messi accomplished this feat with a single devastating strike from his left foot. Following suit, Suarez secured an essential stoppage-time header, marking a crucial second away goal. This outcome positions Inter favorably as they return to South Florida for next week’s second leg, emerging as the clear favorites.
The two-legged series will be determined based on the aggregate score over 180 minutes. However, Nashville, a team becoming a formidable opponent for Messi, wasted no time in unsettling Major League Soccer’s prominent club. Within just four minutes, the hosts caught Miami off guard, shocking them before the true importance of the tournament could be realized, and before Messi even had a chance to exert himself.
The Champions Cup serves as more than just a regional supremacy contest akin to the UEFA Champions League. In the 2024 edition, it represents the final opportunity to secure a berth in the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States the following summer. Inter Miami is eager to secure a spot in this prestigious tournament.
In many respects, the club’s loftiest global aspirations hinge on this 2025 event. The tournament will feature renowned teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and PSG, alongside top clubs from Brazil, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. For Inter Miami, this competition is their gateway to soccer’s elite echelon. Moreover, it marks the only Club World Cup that will occur while Messi is still under contract.