Campana Reveals Messi’s Speech That Inspired Inter Miami to Victory in US Open Cup Semis

Campana Reveals Messi’s Speech That Inspired Inter Miami to Victory in US Open Cup Semis

Joel Reyes
updated at August 25, 2023 at 7:41 AM
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  • Leo Campana praised Lionel Messi’s leadership qualities after their win over FC Cincinnati
  • He revealed Messi’s speech during the break that inspired Inter Miami to victory
  • Campana and Messi combined twice in the second half to send the game into extra time

With Lionel Messi, anything is possible.

Inter Miami remained unbeaten with the Argentine star in the lineup after staging an epic comeback win over FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday night.

Leo Campana, who scored twice in the second half to force extra time, praised the Argentine star for inspiring the team to victory yet again.

Lionel Messi, Leo Campana, Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati, US Open Cup
Lionel Messi and Leo Campana celebrate. Images: Jeff Dean/ Andy Lyons.
Source: Getty Images

Campana shares Messi's speech

He revealed in a post-match interview that Messi instilled belief in the team with a passionate speech during the break, per Goal.com.

Campana hailed Messi’s leadership qualities, saying:

“He told us to have faith. He told us that we were going to win. That after all the work we’d done on the field, that we would never fail. It’s the kind of leader he is. He wants to speak in every game, every training, every championship match.”

Inter Miami stage epic comeback

Inter Miami did end up winning the contest, coming back from 2-0 down in the second half to win 5-4 on penalties.

Messi made that win possible with his brilliance in the second half.

He gave Inter Miami a lifeline when he delivered an assist to Campana in the 68th minute to cut FC Cincinnati’s lead to 2-1, per ESPN.

Just when it seemed Inter Miami’s winning run would come to an end, Messi produced yet another piece of magic in second-half stoppage time.

He found Campana again with a perfect cross in the 97th minute, with the Ecuadorian forward scoring a header to tie the match at 2-2.

Messi consoles Cincinnati captain’s son

Sports Brief also reported on Messi consoling the son of FC Cincinnati’s captain after their win on Wednesday.

The heartwarming moment was captured after the match with Messi talking to Luciano Acosta and his son.

Inter Miami broke the young fan’s heart with their penalty shootout victory.

Authors
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Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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