Lionel Messi presents former Inter Miami captain DeAndre Yedlin with the captain’s armband before lifting the League Cup trophy together
- Yedlin captained Inter Miami all season before Messi arrived
- The first Leagues Cup trophy was the first title Inter Miami ever won
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After Inter Miami’s monumental win over Nashville in the League Cup final, Lionel Messi showed why he is one of the most popular players in all of football with a humble moment with teammate DeAndre Yedlin.
The 30-year-old USA international captained the Miami side throughout the season before relinquishing the captaincy following Messi’s arrival.
However, following Miami’s triumph, Messi made sure the former captain was recognised.
The World Champion presented Yedlin with the armband to wear as the team climbed onto the podium to collect the trophy.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner also waved to Yedlin to be the one to lift the trophy as Miami celebrated the team’s first title in franchise history.
Lionel Messi presented DeAndre Yedlin(R) with the armband and challenged him to lift the League Cup trophy
Yedlin captained Inter Miami throughout the regular season prior to Messi’s arrival
Leo Messi gives Yedlin the armband and asks him to lift the trophy with him!
Just shows why Leo Messi is the most humble man in the world! pic.twitter.com/GhoYKilzGI
— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) August 20, 2023
Before Messi’s landmark acquisition, Yedlin made over 20 appearances as Miami captain.
He was also recently pushed into a leadership role at the USMNT for being one of the few veteran players to be included in the 2023 America’s Gold Cup roster.
Similar to Messi, Yedlin successfully saved his penalty during the intensely intense penalty shoot-out that ensued after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Miami had spent most of the big periods under pressure from Nashville and were second best by a wide margin before Messi scored an outstanding goal in the 23rd minute of the game.
Nashville fought back relentlessly to end the game after Fafa Picault converted a corner kick whose header was deflected by goaltender Drake Callender before finding its way into the net.
Miami had just won the first trophy in team history after winning the inaugural Leagues Cup
The regular penalty shootout continued into the 11th round and saw both goalies enter the penalty spot before a winner was determined, with Drake Callender saving Nashville goalie Elliot Panicco’s penalty.
Yedlin, Messi and the rest of Miami will now turn to an even tougher task, trying to salvage a miserable MLS season.
The poor play that plagued Miami throughout this year’s MLS season prior to Messi’s arrival has left the team bottom with a league-low 18 points and a 5-3-14 record.
Miami’s next game won’t be in the league, however, as the team must first turn their attention to the US Open Cup when they face Cincinnati on August 23.