Lionel Messi delivered a priceless piece of advise to an Inter Miami youth before his League Cup goal
Before scoring in the Leagues Cup, Lionel Messi delivered a priceless piece of advice to young Inter Miami teammate David Ruiz.Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup on Saturday after defeating Nashville, but only after a penalty shootout. It turned out to be a test of endurance.
A total of 22 penalties were taken until goalkeeper Elliot Panicco missed the game-winning penalty.One of Inter Miami’s penalties was scored by 19-year-old Honduras youth international David Ruiz, who scored only his second goal for the club in the club’s 4-1 semi-final triumph over Philadelphia Union
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And he’s revealed how keen he was to pick Messi’s brain – as well as the critical piece of advice the Argentine provided him before to scoring.
Speaking to reporters after lifting the Leagues Cup, Ruiz explained (quotes via Goal): “One thing Messi told me is to stand still more.
“You want to run for every ball, look for space to have it more, but he has told me to stay still in my position and the ball will come to me.
“I tried it and it came off. I was more patient.”
When his team is out of possession, Messi has mastered the skill of strolling around the pitch in an attempt to find space between defenders. You can see how he does it in the video below.
Inter Miami were statistically the worst team in Major League Soccer in 2023 when Messi arrived last month, but that record is unlikely to survive long when the season resumes.
Due to the MLS mid-season break, the Argentine has been limited to competing in the Leagues Cup, which features teams from across North America.
In classic Messi manner, he has absolutely dominated the competition, scoring in all seven of Inter Miami’s matches and totaling ten goals.
Messi’s team returns to MLS action on August 27 when they visit the New York Red Bulls. Three days before the match, they will travel to Cincinnati for the US Open Cup semi-final.
