Lionel Messi targets new competition: how many trophies has he won?

Inter Miami begin their first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign on Thursday with a two-legged tie against Eastern Conference rivals Nashville SC. It’s the first time the Herons have qualified for the continental competition and it’s a chance for Lionel Messi to expand his bulging trophy cabinet.

Messi had a stellar career in European soccer before making the move to Miami last summer. Within weeks of his debut for the MLS club he had led them to their first piece of silverware, the League Cup.

That represented the 14th different competition won by Messi since making his professional debut for Barcelona in 2003. In total he has won an astonishing 43 trophies, roughly two per season over the course of his 21-year senior career.

Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will all make their first CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances in this year’s competition. The illustrious former Barcelona quartet have enjoyed incredible careers at the top level of European soccer and won almost everything that the game has to offer. Now, they look to embellish their lofty reputations in a new continent.

Inter Miami - Nashville rematch of Leagues Cup final

Messi fell just short of firing Inter Miami into the playoffs in 2023, a late-season injury preventing him from taking part in the all-important run-in. However he was able to feature throughout the Herons’ incredible Leagues Cup run and he scored in the final to help the team to their first piece of silverware.

Miami triumphed on penalties to lift the trophy, beating Thursday’s CONCACAF opponents Nashville. Gary Smith’s side will be eager to get their own back against Miami but Tata Martino has hinted that this competition will be a key focus for his side in 2024.

“The ‘CONCA-Champions’ is a great challenge and is possibly the most important tournament we will play in. It is also a different tournament from the league, because the league is so long that it allows you to make the odd mistake, the short tournaments and head-to-head matches allow you few or almost no errors,” Martino told reporters last month.

The final of the revamped 2024 edition will be held on 2 June, in a single-legged clash. The current holders, Mexican side León, did not qualify for this year’s competition so will be unable to defend their title. Does that give Inter Miami a greater chance of adding another trophy to Messi’s vast collection? With the Argentine in their team, anything is possible.