Tata Martino: Messi turned into 'conductor' in US Open Cup win vs FC Cincinnati

Just one week after lifting the 2023 Leagues Cup title, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are back in another final after triumphing 3-3 (5-4) over FC Cincinnati in the 2023 US Open Cup semifinal.

Messi's start to life with the Herons keeps getting better and better. While the Barcelona legend has already netted 10 goals in just eight games, he failed to get on the scoresheet against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal. But that didn't stop the Argentina international from making an impact on the game.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner assisted both of Leonardo Campana's goals in regulation.

"He has a response for every moment, no matter the circumstances," said head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino following the game. "And today he showed it more as a conductor and not a finisher, and you saw that with the pass late in the match [to Campana in the 97th minute]."

Martino simply stated what every soccer fan has thought at some point when watching Messi: "He makes difficult plays look easy. It was an assist of a super crack."

Messi taking on the conductor role isn't something new to him at all, as he's tallied hundreds upon hundreds of assists in his legendary career. When the 36-year-old's playing days in Miami are wrapped up, there's a good chance that he could end up leading the club in goals and assists.

"A lot of our wins have been more due to our character than our game and, obviously, due to having the best player in the world playing with us," Martino said.

Miami, now set to take on Houston Dynamo at home at DRV PNK Stadium on September 27, will return to MLS action as Messi is set to make his league debut against New York Red Bulls on August 26.

Due the amount of games Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have played in the past few weeks, Martino will more than likely rotate the starting lineup ahead of the Heron's trip to Red Bull Arena.

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