With Inter Miami, his Leagues Cup 2023 triumph (final vs. Nashville, won on penalties after his goal in regulation) positioned Miami as the epicenter of Anglo-Latin football, drawing sponsorships and tourism. At PSG, the 2023 Trophée des Champions (2–0 vs. Nantes) added to his trophy case, but his journey also underscores the importance of cultural context: from Europe to the U.S., Messi navigates transitions like a CEO globalizing a brand. What holistic leadership lessons can entrepreneurs in Miami, LATAM, or Spain draw from his wins and setbacks? As
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From his Barcelona debut to his impact at Inter Miami in MLS, Messi has played in 42 finals across his career and won 34 of them—an impressive 81% win rate.
Miami cements itself as a sports-and-investment hub—with Messi-fueled events like the Leagues Cup—this review of his finals doesn’t just spark curiosity; it motivates us to apply his winning mindset in volatile markets. Keep reading to see how Argentina’s No. 10 turns defeats into strategic victories, attracting Anglo-Latin audiences at the intersection of sport, society, and business.
46 Trophies, 42 Finals.
The Full Picture: A Comprehensive Tally of the Finals That Forged a Sports Empire
Lionel Messi has taken part in 42 single-match finals throughout his career, spanning European competitions, international tournaments, and, more recently, MLS. According to a detailed ESPN analysis (updated through February 2023), these finals cover his time with FC Barcelona (30 finals, 24 won), Argentina (10 finals, 7 won), Paris Saint-Germain (1 final, 1 won), and Inter Miami (1 final, 1 won as of then). His 81% win rate (34 out of 42) includes 43 goals, 12 assists, and 8 MVP honors—proof of his pivotal role in decisive moments.
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Among the standouts: in the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup), Messi played 8 finals with Barcelona, winning 7 (including hat tricks in 2009 and 2012); in the Spanish Super Cup, 9 finals with 7 wins; in the UEFA Champions League, 4 finals with 3 victories (2009, 2011, 2015); and in the UEFA Super Cup, 4 finals with 3 wins. With Argentina, he shined in the Copa América (4 finals, 3 wins, culminating in 2021), the 2022 Finalissima (3–0 over Italy), and the 2022 World Cup (victory over France on penalties). His only finals defeats include Copa América 2007, 2015, and 2016, and the 2021 Champions League final with PSG, totaling just 8 losses.
From a strategic lens, this record showcases “integral thinking” in sport: Messi fuses individual brilliance with team dynamics—just as Miami-based companies in tech and entertainment blend Latin innovation with Anglo markets to win globally. In LATAM and Spain, where football is cultural bedrock, his trajectory fuels sports investment, driving economic impacts like the $500 million per year Messi is estimated to contribute to MLS.
Every single-match final Lionel Messi has played in his professional career, based on data through February 2023 (per ESPN’s analysis in the linked source). As of that date, Messi had played 42 finals, with 34 wins (81% win rate) and 8 defeats. In those finals, he scored 43 goals, provided 12 assists, and was named MVP 8 times.
FC Barcelona (30 finals: 24 won, 6 lost)
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Messi played most of his finals with Barça, starring in both domestic and European competitions.
Copa del Rey (8 finals: 7 won, 1 lost):
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2009: vs Athletic Club – Won 4–1 (Messi: 1 goal).
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2011: vs Real Madrid – Won 1–0 (Messi: 0 goals, pivotal overall).
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2012: vs Athletic Club – Won 3–0 (Messi: 1 goal, MVP).
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2015: vs Athletic Club – Won 3–1 (Messi: iconic solo goal from midfield).
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2016: vs Sevilla – Won 2–0 (Messi: 1 assist).
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2017: vs Alavés – Won 3–1 (Messi: 1 goal, 1 assist, MVP).
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2018: vs Sevilla – Won 5–0 (Messi: 1 goal, 2 assists, MVP).
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2021: vs Athletic Club – Lost 2–3 (Messi: 0 goals, sent off in extra time).
Spanish Super Cup (9 finals: 7 won, 2 lost):
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2006: vs Espanyol – Won 4–0 on aggregate (Messi: 0 in the final).
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2009: vs Athletic Club – Won 5–1 agg (Messi: 1 goal).
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2010: vs Sevilla – Won 5–3 agg (Messi: hat trick in the first leg).
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2011: vs Real Madrid – Won 5–4 agg (Messi: 3 goals, 1 assist).
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2012: vs Real Madrid – Lost on away goals (3–4 agg; Messi: 2 goals).
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2013: vs Atlético Madrid – Won on away goals (1–1 agg; Messi: 0).
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2015: vs Athletic Club – Lost 1–5 agg (Messi: 0).
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2016: vs Sevilla – Won 5–0 agg (Messi: 1 goal, 1 assist).
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2018: vs Sevilla – Won 2–1 (Messi: 0; captain).
UEFA Champions League (4 finals: 3 won, 1 lost):
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2006: vs Arsenal – Won 2–1 (Messi: injured, did not play).
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2009: vs Manchester United – Won 2–0 (Messi: 1 header).
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2011: vs Manchester United – Won 3–1 (Messi: 1 goal, MVP).
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2015: vs Juventus – Won 3–1 (Messi: 1 assist).
UEFA Super Cup (3 finals: 3 won):
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2009: vs Shakhtar Donetsk – Won 1–0 (Messi: 1 assist).
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2011: vs Porto – Won 2–0 (Messi: 1 goal, 1 assist, MVP).
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2015: vs Sevilla – Won 5–4 (Messi: two free-kick goals, MVP).
FIFA Club World Cup (3 finals: 3 won):
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2009: vs Estudiantes – Won 2–1 (Messi: extra-time winner, MVP).
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2011: vs Santos – Won 4–0 (Messi: 2 goals, MVP).
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2015: vs River Plate – Won 3–0 (Messi: 1 goal).
Catalonia Cup (1 final: 1 lost) – Note: A regional competition, included here as a single-match final.
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2005: vs Espanyol – Lost on penalties (Messi: 0).
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) (1 final: 1 won)
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Messi won his lone final with PSG in his first year.
Trophée des Champions (French Super Cup) (1 final: 1 won):
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2023 (January): vs Nantes – Won 4–0 (Messi: 1 goal).
Inter Miami (1 final: 1 won) (Another one coming…)
Messi’s new final with Inter Miami, here:
Only one final to date, in his debut season with the club.
Leagues Cup (1 final: 1 won):
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2023 (August): vs Nashville – Won 10–9 on penalties (1–1 in regulation; Messi: 1 goal, scored in the shootout, MVP).
Argentina National Team (10 finals: 7 won, 3 lost)
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Messi particularly shined with the Albiceleste, culminating in the 2022 World Cup.
Copa América (4 finals: 3 won, 1 lost) – Note: Some editions had finals; others did not.
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2007: vs Brazil – Lost 0–3 (Messi: 0).
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2015: vs Chile – 0–0 (1–4 pens; Messi: missed penalty).
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2016: vs Chile – 0–0 (2–4 pens; Messi: missed penalty).
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2021: vs Brazil – Won 1–0 (Messi: 0, MVP of the tournament).
U-20 World Cup (1 final: 1 won):
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2005: vs Nigeria – Won 2–1 (Messi: two penalties, MVP of the tournament).
Olympic Games (1 final: 1 won):
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2008: vs Nigeria – Won 1–0 (Messi: 1 assist).
CONMEBOL–UEFA Champions Cup (Finalissima) (1 final: 1 won):
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2022: vs Italy – Won 3–0 (Messi: 2 assists, MVP).
FIFA World Cup (2 finals: 1 won):
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2014: vs Germany – Lost 0–1 (Messi: 0; tournament MVP despite defeat). – Note: ESPN’s count lists 10 Argentina finals; the 2014 final is one of the losses.
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2022: vs France – 3–3 (4–2 pens; Messi: 2 goals, 1 in the shootout, MVP).
His 8 final losses (19% of the total) underscore lessons in resilience. Back-to-back Copa América defeats to Chile in 2015 and 2016 forged a mindset that delivered redemption in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup, where he scored 7 goals and was named MVP. In pivotal clashes—like the 2009 UCL final versus Manchester United (iconic header) or the 2022 World Cup final against France (a brace in regulation)—Messi demonstrates adaptability, a core trait for leaders in Spain and LATAM navigating economic turbulence.
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