The Seattle Sounders claimed the 2025 Leagues Cup title in emphatic fashion, defeating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 3-0 in front of a packed crowd at Lumen Field. For Javier Mascherano’s side, it was a night defined by mistakes—defensive lapses, poor finishing, and a lack of composure—that cost them the chance at what would have been Messi’s third trophy in Major League Soccer.
For Messi personally, the defeat goes down as one of the most painful nights of his club career. Rarely has the Argentine legend lost a final by such a heavy margin. Comparisons have been drawn to the 2007 Copa América final, when Argentina fell 3-0 to Brazil. But in club competition, this was Messi’s most lopsided loss in a championship match, made even harder by the fact that Inter Miami fans were present in large numbers, despite Seattle’s home-field advantage.
The fallout from the defeat was swift. Hours after the final, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Benja Cremaschi will leave Inter Miami for Parma in Serie A. The Italian club will pay for a loan deal with an option to buy worth up to €4.5 million.
Cremaschi, 20, is a U.S. international with Argentine roots. He is set to undergo medicals in Italy before completing the move. His departure marks the first major exit of the Mascherano era, and it comes at a difficult time for a team reeling from its heaviest defeat since Messi’s arrival.
During his time in Miami, Cremaschi made 99 official appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 9 assists. He was part of the squad that won the 2023 Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. The option to buy is not mandatory, meaning his long-term future will depend on how he performs in Italy between now and June 30, 2026.
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Lionel Messi sends key message to Inter Miami after Leagues Cup final defeat vs. Seattle Sounders
What’s next for Messi and Inter Miami
While Cremaschi departs, Messi and Inter Miami must quickly turn the page. The club sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with four games in hand, trailing leaders Charlotte FC by 11 points. Nine matches remain before the MLS Playoffs, including key fixtures against Seattle, Toronto, Atlanta, and Nashville.
For Messi, the challenge now is to regroup after one of the toughest defeats of his career. With playoffs looming, the Argentine captain must refocus on guiding Inter Miami toward another shot at silverware—this time in Major League Soccer’s postseason.
