Messi ‘never imagined’ he would achieve what he has
Lionel Messi says his dream was only ever to be a professional, and thanked God for all his success
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play in one of their biggest games of the season tonight against Los Angeles FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.
Inter Miami trails LAFC 1-0 in aggregate score on their quarterfinal series, hoping to advance to the semifinals of the North American soccer tournament played during the Major League Soccer season.
Messi has scored two goals in his last three games, but did not score in last week’s first leg in Los Angeles. Instead, it was 21-year-old Nathan Ordaz, who scored a goal in the 57th minute for LAFC last week.
Could a vintage performance from the World Cup champion be in store on Wednesday night?
“Obviously, for great players like him, these kinds of matches are an extra motivation,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, his former teammate, on Tuesday.
Here’s everything you need to know, and return here for USA TODAY Sports‘ live updates from tonight’s match:
LAFC’s Timmy Tillman and Denis Bouanga nearly scored with shots on goal, but Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari was able to defend well despite surrendering the early goal.
Messi fired a shot toward goal in the 18th minute, but it was punched away by LAFC goalie Hugo Lloris.
A crowded sequence in the goal area has Inter Miami down by two in this Champions Cup quarterfinal against LAFC.
LAFC’s Aaron Long was able to score in the 10th minute to take a 1-0 lead in this match, and 2-0 in aggregate score during the series.
Inter Miami’s climb to come back is even steeper, following the score.
The match will be available in English on FS1, and in Spanish via TUDN and ViX.
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT, 9 p.m. in Argentina).
Yes, Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup against LAFC. Here are the lineups for both teams:
Inter Miami has -135 odds to win at home, while a draw is +290 and a LAFC win on the road is +310. Messi is -110 odds to be an anytime goal scorer, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1: Lionel Messi works his magic to score two goals and assist Luis Suarez for another to lead Inter Miami, while Denis Bouanga makes things interesting with a goal for LAFC. Inter Miami advances 3-2 on aggregate score in a thriller. — Safid Deen, USA TODAY Sports’ Lionel Messi reporter.
Inter Miami to play without Sergio Busquets
One of Inter Miami’s core of former Barcelona stars will not play tonight vs. LAFC: Legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets is serving a tournament suspension after picking up his second yellow card in the first leg in Los Angeles last Wednesday. Inter Miami will rely on second-year midfielders Yannick Bright and Federico Redondo to replace their most reliable veteran.
Inter Miami/LAFC winner could face MLS team in Champions Cup semifinal
After the Inter Miami-LAFC match, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Pumas in Mexico City (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1). That series is tied, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week in Canada.
One semifinal is already set between two LIGA MX clubs: Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL advanced after winning their quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Cruz Azul beat Club America, 2-1, while Tigres ousted the reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, 3-2.
