Messi still hasn't let Busquets and Jordi Alba retire early
Messi and Inter Miami must enter the third match of the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs against their old rivals Nashville SC, after winning the first match 3-1 but losing the second match 1-2.
At the decisive moment, Messi shone to help Inter Miami reach the MLS Cup semi-finals and continue to nurture hopes of winning the championship - Photo: Reuters
If they lose the decisive third match and are eliminated, Messi's two close teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, will also officially stop playing and end their careers immediately, after they previously announced their retirement at the end of the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, veteran striker Suarez is likely to extend his contract with Inter Miami for another year. But he will be absent from this crucial match due to a suspension for violent behavior in the 1-2 loss to Nashville SC on November 2. Messi therefore has to help his team overcome difficulties in the context of being under a lot of pressure because the haunting fear of being eliminated early like last season is looming again.
Messi played up front with youngster Mateo Silvetti (19 years old), while in midfield De Paul played alongside Busquets and Tadeo Allende. Jordi Alba also appeared on the familiar left flank.
The determination not to let old failures return was the factor that helped Messi lead his Inter Miami teammates to quickly put pressure on their opponent Nashville SC, who also regained a lot of confidence after the previous victory.
The difference was made by Messi early in the 10th minute, when the 38-year-old Argentine had a spectacular solo dribble past a series of Nashville SC players, before unleashing a dangerous shot from outside the box that beat goalkeeper Joe Willis to open the score 1-0 for Inter Miami.
This goal helped Inter Miami players relieve pressure. Not stopping there, in the 39th minute, a beautiful arrangement initiated by Jordi Alba from the home field with an accurate long pass to Silvetti, before this young player passed the ball back to Messi to finish right on the edge of the penalty area to score the second goal in the match to increase the score to 2-0 for Inter Miami.
With a safe lead, Inter Miami focused on playing more solidly in the second half to defend their victory. In the 73rd minute, Jordi Alba continued to make his mark with an assist for Tadeo Allende to score, raising the score to 3-0. Just 3 minutes later, Allende scored his second goal of the match, this time Messi was the one to assist, helping Inter Miami take a 4-0 lead and secure an important victory.
Messi also scored a double to help Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 on October 25 - Photo: Reuters
Inter Miami thus defended their achievement easily, to advance straight to the MLS Cup Eastern Region semi-finals against FC Cincinnati, the team that eliminated Columbus Crew with a final result of 2-1 after 3 matches (won 2, lost 1). In this round, there will be only 1 decisive match, if the tie is after 90 minutes, extra time will be played, if the tie continues, a penalty shootout will be conducted to determine the winner.
If Messi and Inter Miami win the semifinal against FC Cincinnati, they will have the chance to compete for the MLS Cup Eastern Conference title against either Philadelphia Union or New York City FC (the other semifinal). In the Western Conference semifinal, Son Heung-min's Los Angeles FC will face Thomas Muller's Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The winners of these two conferences will advance to the MLS Cup final on December 6.
With Messi, after his double and 1 assist just made, he has created an impressive record of having contributed to a total of 65 goals and assists for the club and national team in 2025 (specifically scoring 44 goals and having 21 assists) after 50 matches.
Also on November 9, at the Saudi Pro League in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continued to score from the 11m mark to help Al Nassr Club defeat rookie opponent NEOM SC with a score of 3-1. Thereby, helping the 40-year-old Portuguese player now have 953 goals in his career.
This is also Ronaldo's 180th career penalty goal, from 215 shots, or an 84% success rate. But above all, Ronaldo is helping Al Nassr continue to win their 8th match in the Saudi Pro League this season to maintain their top position, 3 points ahead of second-placed Al Taawoun FC.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-ghi-cu-dup-sieu-pham-dua-inter-miami-vao-ban-ket-mls-cup-ronaldo-thi-sao-185251109102721014.htm
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