Seven thrashes in eight without Messi! Leagues Cup show for injured captain and wife Antonela Roccuzzo as trophy defence starts off perfectly against Puebla

With Messi making an instant impression in Florida on the strength of his amazing arrival as a free agent, the Herons grabbed that trophy in amazing manner last season.

In Inter Miami’s quite brief history, he contributed to ensure the first piece of silverware.Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, fellow former Barcelona players, were all in action; the latter wrapped up a comfortable victory following early on opening of the score by Matias Rojas. As the Messi clan observed an outstanding run of form, there was enough for them to grin about.

 

Ojo con el celular: Lionel Messi y Antonela Roccuzzo se volvieron virales

 

NEXT:Since no date has been announced for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to return to action following an unfortunate ankle injury in the Copa America final, Inter Miami has suffered just one loss without Messi since the middle of June against FC Cincinnati will need to keep those standards.

La foto viral de Lionel Messi con Antonela Roccuzzo que desató una ola de memes en las redes - LA NACION

Inter Miami management reveals what makes Jordi Alba so outstanding; Lionel Messi will be delighted

With the Argentine making a comparison that will make Lionel Messi proud, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has rendered his opinion on why Jordi Alba is still so good.

Since leaving FC Barcelona in 2023, the 35-year-old defender has been a constant for the Herons; Kieran Gibbs compliments Alba for turning the Inter Miami backline around.

Alba is proven to be one of Inter Miami’s most prolific players with four goals and six assists in all events; his defensive performances have resulted in a bid of the MLS Defender of the Year title.

Martino has also emphasized the reasons Alba is still so brilliant at his age.Alba defended Inter Miami like a no. 10, not like a no. 10Martino emphasized in front of the media that although Alba is a left-back for Inter Miami, Martino pointed out that Alba performs like a creative no. 10—a comparison Messi would appreciate considering that the Argentine is maybe the best to have in such a position.

Although Messi’s influence on the no. 10 position changed the whole nature of top-flight soccer, Alba should be praised even if the Inter Miami captain is now a winger and has been for some years.

Regarding Alba’s quality, Martino said: “He is a player with different skillset to others, someone who lets us have different sorts of players in the team. We may have a midfielder like Diego [Gomez] or a winger like Robert [Taylor] who participated today.Actually, playing with Jordi feels like playing with a no. 10 at left back. The ball comes out clean; he knows when to play it near and when to send it long. He must be among the finest passers in the league as he gets assists. That’s a major benefit.

With the Herons, Alba has opened another side to his game.Few would have predicted, but Inter Miami is opening a new side to the fullback’s game with Alba’s previous best goalscoring league season coming up just three goals with Barcelona.

Alba adds goals to his game while also preserving a good stream of goal creations; the renowned Spanish defender has been known throughout his career as an assist-machine from left-back.

With a treble on the cards for the Herons, Inter Miami will want to see more from Alba in their search to win Leagues Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup into the last portion of the season.