Lionel Messi was supposed to be the difference, but instead he disappeared when Inter Miami needed him most, as Seattle Sounders stormed to a 3-0 win in the Leagues Cup final. It was a night that brutally exposed Miami’s overreliance on their superstar, and Messi delivered almost nothing in return.
Seattle struck first in the 26th minute, when De Rosario calmly buried a chance after Miami’s defense stood frozen. From that point on, Messi drifted through the game, reduced to occasional touches without real impact, while the Sounders pressed harder and played with more hunger. Fans who expected a spark from the Argentine legend were left disappointed as he failed to create, inspire, or even threaten the Seattle goal.
In the second half, Seattle doubled their lead in the 82nd minute. Christian Roldan stepped up to convert a penalty with ease, while Messi could only watch from the other end, visibly frustrated but unable to change the story. As the clock ticked down, Rothrock slammed home in the 89th minute to end Miami’s humiliation, sealing a scoreline that reflected the gulf in effort and execution.
For Miami, this was not just a loss—it was an embarrassment with Messi at the heart of it. For Seattle, it was a crowning triumph, built on teamwork, belief, and ruthlessness against a fading icon who simply could not deliver.
