Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba (Inter Miami)
September 2025
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba combined brilliantly to power Inter Miami past the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in a fiery Leagues Cup final rematch. Their goals, plus Ian Fray’s header, lifted Miami to fifth in the Eastern Conference with games in hand. Manager Javier Mascherano’s tactical tweaks — Alba pushed higher into attack and a 4-3-3 system — paid immediate dividends. Messi assisted Alba for the opener, then scored himself before half-time. Though Seattle threatened late through Jordan Morris and Obed Vargas, Miami held firm.