Failed before the playoffs
Inter Miami suffers knockout in Messi’s comeback
October 8, 2023, 10:06 a.m
Lionel Messi’s move to the USA sparks hype at Inter Miami and across the MLS. The world champion starts with power, but then he is injured and misses several games. The club has to bury all hopes of the playoffs and thus the championship fight during its comeback.
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi missed the playoffs with his club Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Miami lost 0-1 (0-0) at home against FC Cincinnati. Due to their 17th defeat of the season, Miami can no longer make it into the championship round two games before the end of the regular season.
Messi had missed five of the previous six games because, the club said, he was bothered by an old scar. His absence caused discontent among fans because the club’s communication was poor and there was a lot of speculation about his injury. Mainly because of Messi, the Inter fan base had grown massively, and ticket prices had risen by 515 percent, according to the online ticket marketplace Tickpick. But then there was no sign of Messi at all.
In the previous game at Chicago Fire, which Chicago won 4-1, the host club even gave its fans the option of a subsequent financial credit. That’s how Messi is MLS’s biggest attraction. “We understand that many of our fans might be disappointed if they don’t get the chance to see him (Messi),” Chicago said on its website. Both season ticket and single ticket holders received a voucher.
Messi misses a double chance to equalize
But now he was back, just in time for the home game against Cincinnati. The Argentine world champion came on as a substitute in the 55th minute on Saturday to thunderous applause from the fans, but remained inconspicuous and failed to score for the fourth league game in a row, having scored one on his MLS debut in a 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls had scored a goal.
In total, Messi has scored twelve goals in 13 league and cup games so far. But it could have been Messi’s last appearance in the MLS this season, especially since he will be required to qualify for the World Cup with the Albiceleste on October 12th and 17th.
Although Messi was fouled just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, his subsequent free kick from 25 meters went wide of the goal. Álvaro Barreal gave the guests the lead in the 78th minute. In stoppage time, Messi had another chance to equalize with a free kick, but this shot also clearly missed the goal.
“As far as the injury is concerned, he’s fine. There are no problems,” said Inter coach Gerardo Martino: “Since he hasn’t played recently, he obviously lacked rhythm. That’s why he played 35 minutes.”