Winning the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami helped Lionel Messi surpass Dani Alves to become the player with the most collective titles in football history.

Messi has won 44 titles, after helping Inter Miami defeat host Nashville in the Leagues Cup 2023 final on the morning of August 20, Hanoi time. This is his first title with Miami, and also the first championship in the history of this team. Messi surpassed his former teammate Dani Alves – who once held the record of 43 titles in history.

Messi celebrates a goal in the Leagues Cup final in Nashville, Tennessee, USA on August 20, 2023, Hanoi time. Photo: IMCF

Alves claims to have won 43 titles in history, not counting his achievements in lower leagues. The three players with the most achievements right after him are Andres Iniesta with 39, Gerard Pique and Maxwell with 37 titles. All five of the most successful players in football history have one thing in common: they played for Barca under Pep Guardiola.

Messi has won the most titles at Barca, with 35 titles including 10 La Liga, 7 Copa del Reys, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 4 Champions Leagues, 3 European Super Cups and 3 FIFA Club World Cups. He won three more titles at PSG, including two Ligue 1s and a French Super Cup. Messi has won five titles with Argentina, including the World Cup, Copa America, Intercontinental Cup, U20 World Cup and Olympic gold medal. The 2023 Leagues Cup title helps him complete the above record. The only tournament Messi has participated in but not won is the French Cup.

Messi has played 48 cup matches in his career, scoring 35 goals and assisting 15. He has an average of one goal or assist in a cup match. Against Nashville, the 36-year-old superstar scored a long-range shot into the top corner near the post to open the scoring, although Miami later equalized. Miami beat Nashville 10-9 in a penalty shootout, which came down to the goalkeeper.

The Leagues Cup is a tournament for the strongest clubs in North America and Mexico, competing from the regional group stage to the knockout stage. Messi played 7 matches in the tournament, scored 10 goals, assisted once, and was named the tournament’s best player. He scored in every match, also winning the Golden Boot award.

Messi is just two games away from his 45th title, with Miami in the US Open semifinals. They will face Cincinnati in the semifinals on the morning of August 24, Hanoi time, with the final four days later. Miami reached the semifinals without Messi, even though they are still bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.