Comparing Messi and Ronaldo’s Title Wins in Leagues Cup, Arab Cup

• Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won their first titles with their new teams
• Messi scored 10 goals for Inter Miami in their championship run in the Leagues Cup
• Ronaldo scored six goals for Al-Nassr as they claimed the Arab Club Champions Cup

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have done it again.

The two football icons won their first titles with Inter Miami and Al-Nassr since moving to the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively.

Sports Brief compares their championship runs in the Leagues Cup and the Arab Club Champions Cup.

Messi's Leagues Cup win

The Lionel Messi effect is real.

He led the worst team in the MLS to the Leagues Cup title, scoring at least one goal in every game since joining Inter Miami last month.

Messi’s first tournament in the United States was a rousing success, scoring 10 goals in his first seven matches for the Herons.

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He opened his account in the match against Cruz Azul in dramatic fashion, scoring a last-gasp free kick in the 94th minute to give Inter Miami an incredible 2-1 win on his debut.

The Argentine star made his first start for the Herons in the following game against Atlanta United, and he was on target right from the get-go.

He opened the scoring in the eighth minute, tapping in the rebound after his initial shot attempt hit the post.

The 36-year-old scored his second goal of the night in the 22nd minute, diverting Robert Taylor’s cross past the Atlanta goalkeeper with his weaker right foot.

He returned the favor to his teammate in the 53rd minute, teeing Taylor up for his first career assist in the United States.

Messi scored another brace in the round of 32 against Orlando City, netting a pair of close-range volleys in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win.

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He gave the Herons a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute after making a beautiful run inside the box.

He doubled his tally in the 72nd minute, firing another volley past Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese after some unselfish play from Josef Martinez.

Messi registered another double in Inter Miami’s win over FC Dallas in the round of 16.

He nabbed another early goal for the Herons, scoring a stunning long-range strike in the sixth minute that was allowed to stand after a VAR review.

Messi came to Inter Miami’s rescue late in the second half, helping the Herons erase a two-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes.

Messi’s set piece in the 80th minute was diverted into the back of the net by FC Dallas’ Marco Farfan to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The former Barcelona star then tied things up at 4-4 in the 85th minute, bending a free kick into the top corner to send the match into a penalty shootout.

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Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals after winning 5-3 on penalties, with Messi scoring one of the spot kicks in the shootout.

He continued his red-hot form in the 4-0 win against Charlotte FC in the quarterfinals.

The 2022 World Cup hero completed the rout with a close-range strike in the 86th minute, hitting a first-time shot off Leonardo Campana's cross.

He helped Inter Miami book a place in the final, scoring a long-range stunner in the semis against Philadelphia Union.

He found some space after taking a pass near midfield from Martinez. He went on a short run before unleashing a left-footed shot from distance into the bottom corner to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead in the 20th minute.

He saved the best for last in the championship match against Nashville SC. He opened the scoring in the final, netting a superb left-footed strike outside the box in the 23rd minute.

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The match would eventually go on to penalties, with Messi scoring the first spot kick for Inter Miami.

The Herons went on to win 10-9 in an epic shootout to capture their first title in franchise history, per ESPN.

Ronaldo's Arab Cup win

Ronaldo finally delivered for Al-Nassr in the Arab Club Champions Cup.

The Portuguese star lifted his first trophy for the Saudi side after failing to win any silverware last season.

He stepped up big time in the group stage, scoring vital goals to ensure Al-Nassr’s qualification in the knockout round.

Ronaldo scored in the 74th minute against Union Monastirienne to give Al-Nassr a 2-1 lead in a match they would eventually win 4-1.

Al-Nassr came close to crashing out of the tournament as they trailed Zamalek 1-0 heading into the dying minutes of their final group match.

Ronaldo came to his club’s rescue, scoring a powerful header in the 87th minute for the much-needed equalizer. He sent Al-Nassr through to the knockout stage with that goal.

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The 38-year-old continued his red-hot form against Raja CA in the quarterfinals. He opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the 19th minute, helping them secure a 3-1 victory.

He was the hero once again in the semis against Al-Shorta, scoring the match-winning penalty in the 75th minute.

He sent the Al-Shorta goalkeeper the wrong way with his spot kick to lead Al-Nassr to the final.

Ronaldo saved the best for last in the championship match, scoring twice in the final against Al-Hilal.

The odds were stacked against Al Nassr after they were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute following Abdulelah Al-Amri’s red card.

They trailed 1-0 at that stage, but Ronaldo came to their rescue with a late brace.

He scored the equalizer in the 74th minute after diverting Sultan Al-Ghannam's low cross into the back of the net.

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He then showed his flair for the dramatic in extra time, scoring the match-winner in the 98th minute after heading home a rebound.

He pounced on Seko Fofana’s shot that rattled the crossbar to give Al-Nassr the victory, per Sports Illustrated.

Messi scoops top awards

Sports Brief also reported on Messi getting the top awards in the Leagues Cup.

The Argentine veteran was named the tournament's best player and top scorer.

Messi captured awards after scoring 10 goals for Inter Miami in the competition.