Lionel Messi’s leadership has been lauded by Luis Suarez following his inspirational performance that delivered an Inter Miami comeback.
The MLS Eastern Conference side beat west coast opponents LAFC 3-1 in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-final second leg.
LAFC led 1-0 on aggregate heading into the match and scored the opening goal with just nine minutes played through Aaron Long.
But Inter Miami kicked into gear and fought their way back into the tie with the help of a well-taken finish from Messi before half-time.
Federico Redondo then levelled the aggregate score before a late penalty from Messi sent them through to the semi-finals.
It marked a hugely impressive turnaround, with Inter Miami’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner having a big influence on the outcome.
As revealed by his former Barcelona co-star Suarez, Messi had some words of encouragement for his teammates after falling behind.
“Leo told us during the game, and Jordi told us that even if the other team scored, we needed to remain calm,” Suarez.
“The possibilities would be the same, we needed to score three goals to win. With the experience, hierarchy and players that we have, we did it.”
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, who also played alongside Messi at Barcelona, heaped praise on his compatriot too.
“Messi is the soul of this team,” the former defender said. “Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I’ve known him for 20 years now, and I have to help him in this stage of his career.
“He’s a guy who has everything in football. He’s the greatest in history, and he’s still making the path and guiding the new generations beyond having won everything until the last day he plays on the pitch.
“He wants to win and will do the impossible. Football is just about wanting, but you have to be able.
“And he has that ability because he is the greatest of all.”
Messi has made an impressive start to the 2025 season with Inter Miami with eight goals and three assists in nine appearances.
The 37-year-old has netted in all but two of his matches and has 63 goal contributions in total of the club since joining in 2023.
Inter Miami will now meet Vancouver Whitecaps in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
They will continue their MLS campaign on Sunday against Chicago Fire as they look to build upon their second-place standing.
