Argentine talisman Lionel Messi found the back of the net twice as Inter Miami came from two goals behind to defeat Los Angeles FC in a 3-2 aggregate victory in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.
Messi was instrumental in his team’s performance, sealing the win from the penalty spot with six minutes left in the game.
The fixture was both entertaining and frantic, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s technical ability contributing to Inter Miami’s crucial victory.
Speaking on Messi’s display, his coach and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano called him the “soul” of the team.
“He’s a guy who has already done everything in football, he’s the greatest in history, and he continues to set an example of how to compete.
“Until the last day he plays on a pitch he’s going to want to win and he’s going to do the impossible to win. And it’s not just about wanting to; you also have to be able to, and he has that ability,” Mascherano said.