It was a tournament to remember for Lionel Messi, but also for Bafana Bafana international Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who finished second to the Argentina legend in the Leagues Cup top scorers ranking – here is how close it was!
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A dream start to life in the United States
Following his free-agent departure from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June, Messi surprised the world when he announced that, instead of waiting for a formal contract offer from Barcelona, he was taking his career to the US-based club co-owned by David Beckham, Inter Miami. While eyebrows might have been raised, particularly in Catalonia, the 36-year-old has already won his first trophy with the Herons following their dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final in the early hours of Sunday morning. Messi scored his team's only goal in the encounter, a strike that took his tally to 10 in the competition in just seven games! Since making his debut for the club, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has wowed followers of American soccer with his skill and match-winning moments, and it has all only just started.
Messi opened his Leagues Cup account with a brilliantly executed free-kick in the final seconds of Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the group stage, before he struck twice in their 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United just a few days later. In the round of 32, Messi continued his excellent form with another brace in a 3-1 win over Orlando City, and was on hand to score a third consecutive double during a 4-4 draw with FC Dallas in the round of 16, which the Herons advanced from on penalties. Messi then scored in his team's 4-0 win over Charlotte FC in their quarter-final, and was on target again in their 4-1 semi-final triumph over Philadelphia Union. His 10th goal, against Nashville on Sunday, means he has scored every time he has taken to the field to represent the Florida-based outfit, who celebrated the first title in their history when goalkeeper Drake Callender saved to his left to guarantee that the Leagues Cup trophy heads to Miami.
Not without competition from a player born in South Africa
Messi, though, isn't the only player to have impressed in America since his arrival. Bafana international Hlongwane has earned his status as one of the most important players at Minnesota United, whom he joined from Maritzburg United in 2022. In the 62 appearances he has made for the club, the 23-year-old has contributed to 25 goals across all competitions, with eight of them coming in this season's Leagues Cup! The 15-time South Africa international scored seven times and assisted one goal as Minnesota made it to the quarter-final round of the tournament. Like Messi, Hlongwane astonished fans as he scored three consecutive braces between the group stage and round of 16, with Puebla FC, Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew all falling victim to his lethal form in front of goal! Hlongwane then scored as Minnesota advanced past Deportivo Toluca in the round of 16 on penalties, but was unable to add to his tally after his side suffered a humbling 5-0 defeat to eventual finalists Nashville in the last eight.
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Another chance at silverware!
There won't be too much time for Messi and his colleagues to enjoy the rewards of their Leagues Cup performances, however, with Inter Miami set to go up against FC Cincinnati in the semi-finals of the Open Cup on Thursday morning. The Herons beat Birmingham Legion FC 1-0 in the quarter-finals in June, with the other semi-final set to be between Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake.
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