Lionel Messi: A Look at His Record in Finals As Inter Miami Lose US Open Cup

• Lionel Messi was a huge miss for Inter Miami as they lost the Leagues Cup final to Houston Dynamos
• Messi, who is the most decorated player of all time, missed out on the chance to add to his trophy haul
• The Barcelona legend has only missed one other final in his career

Lionel Messi was forced to agonizingly watch his Inter Miami side go down to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final on September 28.

Messi was left out of the squad entirely after he failed to shake off an injury in time. He was, however, still present at the DRV PNK stadium to cheer on his side.

Goals from Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi were enough to see Houston Dynamos through despite Jose Martinez's late consolation.

Messi and the Florida-based side were chasing their second trophy in as many months following their triumph in the Leagues Cup last month. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is the most decorated footballer in history, having won 44 trophies in his record-breaking career.

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The Argentine ace has always been the catalyst in most of the finals he has participated in. Sports Brief takes a look at his record in finals over the years.

Games played in

The 36-year-old has participated in 42 finals, winning 30 of them and losing 12 finals. The recent loss to Houston Dynamo hasn't been included, as he was not available.

His major heartbreaks have come with the Argentina national team, where he lost the Copa America final thrice and the 2014 World Cup. He has also lost four Spanish Super Cups and three Copa De Rey finals.

Goals scored in finals

Messi did not build the strong reputation he has nowadays by ghosting in finals. The former Barcelona man has always been instrumental in the finals he has played in, with his two-goal show in the 2022 World Cup final against France the pick of the bunch.

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He has scored 37 goals in his 42 finals, with a good number coming from his Blaugrana days as reported by Marca. He scored once for Paris Saint-Germain and once during the 2005 U-20 World Cup final against Nigeria.

On top of the goals, he has also supplied 15 assists, making it 52 goal involvements in 42 finals.

How many finals has Messi missed?

The father of three has been fortunate enough to fit for almost every major final his side has qualified for. Save for the US Open final, the other final he missed was the 2006 Club World Cup final when Barcelona played Internacional Porto Alegre, as reported by AS.

Full list of trophies in Messi's career

The former PSG star has accumulated 44 trophies over the span of his career, which began in 2004.

As Sports Brief reported, among the major trophies he has won include the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 Copa America and the four Champions League trophies he won with Barcelona.