In a week of heightened anticipation for Inter Miami fans, the team faced a disheartening 2-1 loss against Houston Dynamo FC in the U.S. Open Cup final. The match, held at Inter Miami's home ground, DRV PNK Stadium, was particularly poignant as Lionel Messi, the team's star player, was conspicuously absent from the pitch due to injury concerns.
Lionel Messi, the 36-year-old forward and World Cup-winning captain, has been grappling with a leg injury that has seen him miss four of Inter Miami's last five matches. While he did make an appearance in the team's 4-0 victory over Toronto FC on September 21, he had to be substituted off after just 37 minutes. This has raised questions about his future participation for the remainder of the season, especially given his ongoing "muscle fatigue" issues.
Gerardo Martino, Inter Miami's head coach, addressed these concerns in a post-match conference. He emphasized the team's cautious approach, stating, "It was clear that it was not wise to play him, even for a few minutes because we were taking risks." Martino also expressed optimism about Messi's return, noting that the medical staff would evaluate him on a weekly basis to determine when he can play without risk.
The team's challenges were compounded by the absence of Jordi Alba, Messi's former FC Barcelona teammate, who was also sidelined due to a muscle issue. Reflecting on the final against Houston, Martino acknowledged the superior performance of their opponents. He observed, "Today, I saw a worn-out and tired team. We were also limited by the injuries, so our performance was affected by those circumstances."
With five league games remaining before the end of the regular season, Inter Miami is setting its sights on the playoffs. They are scheduled to play New York City FC this Saturday, aiming to close the five-point gap that separates them from a postseason berth.
On the international front, Messi's calendar remains packed. Argentina is set to play four more games in 2023 as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The matches include face-offs against Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Brazil. Messi's participation in these fixtures remains uncertain due to his injury.
Since joining Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi has made a significant impact, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 12 appearances. His contributions were instrumental in Inter Miami's Leagues Cup victory, marking their first title.
