Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s dream of claiming a third trophy this season slipped away on Sunday night as the club fell to the Seattle Sounders in a controversial 2025 Leagues Cup final at Lumen Field.

Naija News reports that the defeat marks a tough end to a campaign that has seen Miami compete across four major tournaments this year: MLS, the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Leagues Cup.

Addressing fans on social media, Lionel Messi, the captain of the team, reflected on the loss: “We competed until the final, but this time it didn’t happen. We’re taking the positives and continuing to learn to achieve this season’s goals.”

The team now turns its attention back to the MLS regular season, with the playoffs looming on the horizon. Inter Miami currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, narrowly ahead of Columbus Crew (46 points) and New York City FC (44 points), both vying to avoid the wild-card route.

After the September FIFA break, Javier Mascherano’s side faces a tough trip to Charlotte FC on September 13, before returning home to host the Sounders on September 16, a match now laden with a revenge narrative after Sunday’s disappointment.

Key players, including Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Telasco Segovia, will reintegrate from international duty, adding another layer of challenge to an already gruelling schedule.

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Challenges Flick’s Take on Ego in Dressing Room

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has publicly disagreed with manager Hansi Flick following the club’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Flick had urged his squad to adopt a more collective mindset, warning that “egos kill success.”

Speaking to RTVE, Yamal stressed that the team’s struggles stem more from a slow start to the season than from ego clashes. “I think it has more to do with the fact that we didn’t start the season with the intensity we had at the end of the previous one than with the egos in the dressing room…We’re hungry for more because we haven’t won four Champions Leagues or four Liga titles in a row; we’re very young.”

Alexander Isak Thanks Newcastle Fans After Record Move to Liverpool

Alexander Isak has broken his silence following his £130 million transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool, the highest British transfer of the summer.

After a tense summer saga in which he reportedly went on strike to force the move, Isak expressed gratitude to Newcastle on Instagram: “I want to express my gratitude to my teammates, the staff, and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together…Forever grateful. Thank you, Newcastle.”

Newcastle had issued a brief statement confirming the striker’s departure, making no mention of his impact on the club.

© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]