Lionel Messi caps Inter Miami rout! Leagues Cup semifinals await

Inter Miami CF’s superstar forward capped a 4-0 rout of Charlotte FC at DRV PNK Stadium, sending his new team into the semifinals of the revamped tournament between MLS and Liga MX teams.

Messi, with eight goals in Leagues Cup, now stands alone as the competition’s Golden Boot leader. He’s also scored in all five games since his Hollywood-esque debut on July 21.

Messi’s transcendent impact has Miami two wins away from their first-ever trophy. The Herons await an Aug. 15 semifinal at the Philadelphia Union, with the winner advancing to the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19.

Inter Miami could also progress into the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the top three Leagues Cup finishers reaching that continental competition.