Lionel Messi admitted that he was anxious when he returned to action after a resignation of injuries, after he played a leading role in the defeat of Inter Miami of Orlando City.
A brace of a recurring Messi destroyed a shortage in the first half of one goal, before Telasco Segovia added a third in injury time to achieve a 3-1 victory for Miami, and a place in the final of the Leagues Cup.
The herons will now be confronted with the Seattle Sounders in Sunday's showpiece.
Messi, who has won 46 major trophies in his illustrious career, is on track to add a 47th to the collection while Miami keeps an eye on their second competition cup title after the club's triumph.
This season, the Argentinian has noticed 19 times for Miami in MLS and a goal behind Sam Surridge is in the score cards, despite playing nine games less.
But the eight times Ballon d'Or winner admitted that he was “scared” when he made his return out of the injury.
“I wanted to play,” Messi said in an interview after the game with MLS Season Pass. “Since I returned to the [LA] Galaxy, I felt uncomfortable there and I didn't feel comfortable. I prepared myself to play this game because I knew how important it was.
“The opponent, it is a difficult opponent who had beat us twice this season.
“To be honest, in the first half I felt a bit scared. But in the second half I released a bit.”
The assistant head coach Javier Morales of Inter Miami stated that he was “no words a loss” when referring to Messi's performance, as he labeled the 38-year-old the best there has ever been.
#League Cup2025 Final is set §
An epic collision between @soundersfc and @intermiamicf is waiting for
NOS VEMOS El Próximo Domingo and Lumen Field pic.twitter.com/onrfsiyz44
– Leagues Cup (@leaguescup) August 28, 2025
“We are no more words when it comes to discussing Leo,” said Morales, who caused coaching tasks instead of the suspended Javier Mascherano.
“He only trained two or three days and then [Wednesday] He played 90 minutes and the way he played, created situations and scored goals. There is nothing to say anymore. For us and for the fans it is a privilege to have him in our team.
“We are always enthusiastic to win and now we have the chance to take a trophy home.
“There is nothing left to say. Everyone knows what he is. He is the best in history.”
Messi's teammate Sergio Busquets added: “We try to help the club grow. I think it is best for us to be for the foreground, and that's it. The team grows. Kijn by little we get to know each other better. We know what we want and how solid we can be.
“Hopefully we can win another title.”
In the meantime sealed Seattle Sounders in the other semi-final one last place after a 2-0 win in La Galaxy.
The Sounders took the lead within just seven minutes, when Pedro de la Vega scored after a goalmouth -clauting.
Despite the dominance of the Galaxy, the Sounders drove their happiness, and in the 57th minute Osaze de Rosario poked home to double the visitors' lead.
With Seattle who deserves the chance to claim their first piece of large silverware in three years, owner Adrian Hanauer is focused on the task for us.
“We will have to limit their star players to half chances if possible. We will clearly have to keep what possession, because we do not want to chase the ball for 90 minutes, and we will have to create some opportunities against them,” said Hanauer.
“We will work on that during the flight, for the players we let them enjoy this moment.”