Lionel Messi suddenly gave the Inter Miami captaincy to defender DeAndre Yedlin and invited his teammates to lift the 2023 Leagues Cup.

While waiting to receive the Leagues Cup on the morning of August 20, Hanoi time, Messi took off the Miami captain’s armband, then approached Yedlin. The Argentine superstar wore a bandage on Yedlin’s arm, although the American defender kept saying “No, no”. Then, Yedlin smiled and slapped his hand on the elder’s shoulder.

At the award ceremony, Messi also called Yedlin to come together to lift the Cup to the position of his teammates waiting on the winning podium. These two players lifted the title together, and the whole team danced to celebrate the first victory in Inter Miami history.

Messi (left) and Yedlin lifted the 2023 Leagues Cup in Nashville, Tennessee, USA on the morning of August 20. Photo: EFE

Yedlin is a 30-year-old right-back who played in the Premier League for Tottenham, Sunderland and Newcastle. He joined Miami in February 2022 and was soon given the captain’s armband. But when Messi joined Miami in July 2023, Yedlin had to cede the role of captain to the 36-year-old superstar.

Messi is happy to come out with the 44th title in his career, a football record. After goalkeeper Drake Callender pushed Elliot Panicco’s last penalty, the Miami captain jumped up and waved his arms in a fan shape. After a while, Miami players focused on Messi’s channel.

Messi hands Yedlin the captain’s armband to lift the Leagues Cup with him.

After the award ceremony, the players’ families and relatives were invited to the field to celebrate. Messi spends time hugging and taking pictures with all of his teammates’ loved ones. President David Beckham and his wife Victoria also went down to the field to hug the owner of 7 Golden Balls. Team co-owner Jorge Mas also came and kissed Messi on the cheek. After that, Mr. Mas told reporters: “Messi has been thinking about the US Open semi-final against Cincinnati. He is such a professional”, Mr. Mas said.

Messi will join Miami to play the 2023 US Open semi-final against Cincinnati in Ohio on the morning of August 24, Hanoi time. If they reach the final, they will face Houston Dynamo or Real Salt Lake. This tournament has been held since 1914, in the same knockout format as the FA Cup in England.