Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi revealed he played with fear after returning from injury in his side’s 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal.
Messi has struggled with injuries in recent weeks, and missed the Herons’ 4-1 defeat to Orlando City earlier in the month.
However, the Argentine captain returned with a brace to lead his side to the final of the Leagues Cup, a competition they won two years ago.
“I wanted to be here,” Messi said after the game. “When I came back against [LA] Galaxy [on August 17] I felt some discomfort, I didn’t feel comfortable, but I wanted to play the game.
It was really important to be here because it’s a difficult opponent, they’d beaten us in the two games we played against them this year. In the first half I was playing with a bit of fear, but after that I felt a bit [more] free”, Messi continued.
Marco Pasalic opened the scoring just before halftime for Orlando, who were set to reach the final for a first time before Messi had other ideas.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner equalized for his side in the 77th minute from the penalty spot, after Orlando’s David Brekalo was sent off for a second bookable offense.
Messi then completed the comeback with a tidy finish, after good buildup with former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba to make it 2-1.
Telasco Segovia added a third for Inter Miami in added time, calmly slotting into the net after receiving a pass from Luis Suarez.
Inter Miami head into a second Leagues final in three years, where they will face Seattle Sounders who also came out 2-0 winners over LA Galaxy.
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