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Soccer

LEAGUES CUP

César Araújo on Lionel Messi: “There is no formula for stopping Messi”

After the Leagues Cup Round of 32 match, the Orlando City player discussed the defeat and praised the Argentine forward.

Kieran Quaile
Kieran Quailekquaile90
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF battles for possession with Cesar Araujo and Kyle Smith of Orlando City SC during the Leagues Cup 2023 Round of 32 match between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hector Vivas/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Hector Vivas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
HECTOR VIVASAFP

Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday saw César Araújo go toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi.

After the match, the Orlando player discussed the defeat and praised the Argentine forward.

“It is a tough situation because we came looking for the victory. It has been known for many years that there is no formula for stopping Messi,” said the Uruguayan who scored for his side on the night after Messi gave Tata Martino’s men the lead.

“We did everything possible and we leave a little disappointed.”

Words with Messi

At the end of the first half, the 22-year-old was seen having words with Messi as the pair headed into the dressing rooms for half-time but the young Uruguayan has since downplayed what happened. “It was absolutely nothing - these are things that stay on the pitch,” he added.

Inter Miami CF midfielder Dixon Arroyo (3) and Orlando City SC midfielder César Araujo (5) battle for the ball during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium.
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Inter Miami CF midfielder Dixon Arroyo (3) and Orlando City SC midfielder César Araujo (5) battle for the ball during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium.Nathan Ray SeebeckUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Plan for Messi

“We made a plan. We obviously like to have the ball but when we didn’t have it, the idea was to try to keep it from reaching Messi.”

Facing the best in the world

Araújo went on to highlight coming up against Messi. “I played against the best in the world and that is going to stay with me. I’m happy about that.”