Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against the Los Angeles FC during the second half at Chase Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Watch: Lionel Messi spurs Inter Miami comeback in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 12:45 AM ET

At 37, Lionel Messi still has plenty of magic left.

On Wednesday, Inter Miami hosted Los Angeles FC in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. It trailed 1-0 in the aggregate after losing to LAFC in the first leg on April 2. (The aggregate is the number of goals each team scores across both matches.)

It appeared Inter Miami was in trouble when LAFC defender Aaron Long scored in the ninth minute of the match. Then, Messi ignited a comeback.

In the 35th minute, Messi scored off a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the top right corner.

HAD TO BE HIM pic.twitter.com/oJwaAgcUnG
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 10, 2025

After Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo scored in the 61st minute, Messi had an opportunity to give his team a lead in the aggregate on a penalty kick in the 84th minute. Unsurprisingly, he didn't miss.

Our captain from the spot pic.twitter.com/Y2TCW43Wne
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 10, 2025

Messi's penalty kick sealed a 3-1 win in the match and a 3-2 win in the aggregate for Inter Miami. It will face the Vancouver Whitecaps or Pumas UNAM in the semifinals. If Inter Miami wins the tournament, it will be Messi's 47th team trophy.

The goalie for LAFC was Hugo Lloris. He was also in net for France when Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup final. Nearly three years later, he still can't seem to stop, perhaps, the greatest player ever.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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