During the last two days, for reasons beyond my control, I have not been able to publish in this column, of which I am a regular and daily participant.
There are two events that have stood out in the last weekend at world level.
One is the final of the Women's World Cup 2023. And the other is the final of the Soccer League which, although not of global importance, has been of general interest since Lionel Messi has moved on to play for Inter Miami.
Let's go then to the analysis of each game.
Inter Miami, champion of the Leagues Cup with Lionel Messi
It is clear that Lionel Messi did not come to Inter Miami on vacation, or to be away from pressure. In a handful of weeks, the Argentine star rescued the team from the last places in Major League Soccer and gave it the first title in its history, after beating Nashville in the Leagues Cup final , on penalties.
Of course, this title is even more special for Messi: it is the 44th victory for the "Flea", which places him as the most winning footballer in history, surpassing his former teammate at Barcelona in Spain by one, Dani Alves. .
Summary of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami title in the Leagues Cup.
Messi had been champion in May of Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain, in what was a tepid farewell to his time in French football. That celebration followed the great achievement of the career of the South American crack, after the consecration with the Argentine team in the World Cup in Qatar, in December 2022.
Look at the detail of all the titles of Lionel Messi:
Barcelona.
Messi built his greatest legacy in his journey through Barcelona in Spain. There he won 35 titles in what was the most explosive and brilliant moment of his career. His game in the Catalan team enjoyed freshness, self-confidence and brilliance that dazzled the entire world beyond football. The magic of his art subjugated everyone equally and he became the most emblematic footballer in the entire history of the culé team.
Titles with Barcelona (35)
LaLiga: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2018/19
Spanish Super Cup: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018
Champions League: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11 and 2014/15
Copa del Rey: 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2020/21
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011 and 2015
Club World Cup: 2009, 2011 and 2015
Argentine national team.
Messi is carried on his shoulders with the world cup in his hands after Argentina's victory against France in the World Cup in Qatar. (Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Messi is carried on his shoulders with the world cup in his hands after Argentina's victory against France in the World Cup in Qatar. (Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Although the magic of his devilish left foot continued to make everyone fall in love, and his mastery was out of the question, in his country romance did not turn into unconditional love. Three runners-up with the Albiceleste (the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2015 Copa América Chile and the 2016 Copa Centenario USA) only generated a dysfunctional link with a sector of the press and the Argentine public.
The achievements of Copa América Brazil 2021, the Finalíssima against Italy at London's Wembley Stadium in 2022 and the Qatar 2022 World Cup sealed an idyll bond with his country. He was brought to a paradise level of idolatry. Although Lionel Messi had already won titles at the youth level and even an Olympic title, the achievement on Qatari land catapulted him into the pantheon of the highest gods along with the other Argentine icon, Diego Maradona.
Argentine national team (5 titles)
U-20 World Cup: 2005
Olympic Games: 2008
America's Cup: 2021
Finalísima: 2022
World Cup: 2022
Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
Pros and cons of Messi's possible destinations if he leaves PSG
After breaking the relationship with the Barcelona leadership, the majesty of world football came to the powerful Parisian team. The dream of Messi and PSG was to win the Champions League. The most important club tournament in Europe is the obsession of the Qatari capital team. In the two editions that Messi was there, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. In the 2021-2022 seasons at the hands of Real Madrid and 2022-2023 against Bayern Munich. They expected him as the hero who would lead PSG to the promised land, to establish themselves as masters of European football. Messi did the usual, he shone, but without the self-confidence of past times.
Last December a seismic moment arrived. Messi excelled with the Argentine National Team winning the World Cup in Qatar, defeating France itself in a memorable final. After that, in 2023, the relationship with a sector of the fans and the same with the specialized football press became more tense, faded and deserted. Insults, whistles and strong criticism gained ground. This was followed by a suspension from the club, of not being able to train or play a game with PSG for two weeks due to a trip Messi made to Saudi Arabia for business reasons.
Paris Saint Germain (3 titles)
Ligue 1: 2021/22 and 2022/23
French Super Cup: 2022
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami poses with his Best Player Award and Top Scorer Award after defeating Nashville SC to win the League Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Despite the fact that many took his return to Barcelona of Spain for granted, Lionel Messi broke the summer window of world soccer by accepting the offer of Inter Miami, of the MLS.
A few weeks were enough for Messi to show all his magic and lead Inter to the first title in its history, by winning the Leagues Cup final on penalties against Nashville SC.
Messi scored 10 goals throughout the tournament and scored in all the games he played. Those led by “Tata” Martino drew 1-1 against Nashville SC and won the Leagues Cup after a hard-fought penalty shootout.
Spain beat England and won the 2023 Women's World Cup.
For the first time in their history, the Spanish lifted the World Cup after beating the English 1-0 in the final thanks to Olga Carmona's goal.
Spain, champion of the 2023 Women's World Cup! They beat England 1-0 and thus won the first World Cup in their history thanks to Olga Carmona's goal . It was the first FIFA Women's World Cup with 32 participating teams and with the co-organization of two countries, Australia and New Zealand .
At the Australia Stadium in Sydney, Spain and all of women's football made history . In an electrifying game, the Spaniards beat England by a minimum thanks to a goal from Olga Carmona, a left-back who was projected and defined as a cross.
At 70 minutes into the game, Spain had the chance from twelve steps to stretch their advantage and caress the title. However, Jenni Hermoso fired across and Mary Earps guessed her intention , so she held off the shot and left England alive until the last minute.
After an eternal 14 minutes of addition, Spain deservedly became champion of the 2023 Women's World Cup . Spanish women's football has had exponential growth. So much so that this edition of the World Cup was only his third participation. In Canada 2015 it was in 20th position out of 24 selected participants and in France 2019 it was eliminated by the United States in the round of 16.
Source images: Twitter FIFA Women's World Cup. - Elintra.
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