Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi missed the US Open due to injury. He watched from the stands as his team suffered a defeat against the Houston Dynamo.
The 36-year-old attacker was substituted against Toronto FC on September 21, 2023, and was also out of the Inter Miami draw against Orlando City on September 25, 2023.
Lionel Messi had been struggling with a scar tissue problem from an old injury to the leg muscle.
Also, former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba missed the US Open final against the Houston Dynamo.
It was revealed by Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino that the club are more focused on making sure Lionel Messi returns from injury.
The Inter Miami boss said, “It was not prudent for him to play. We couldn’t even consider playing him for a few minutes because we would be taking risks.”
Adding that Lionel Messi will “certainly play before the league is over”.
The coach said, “Lionel Messi doesn’t need surgery or anything like that. It’s just a matter of how much time the player needs to rest in order to play the next game.”
The final matches of Major League Soccer end on October 21, 2023, with the play-offs happening from October 25, 2023, to December 9, 2023.
Lionel Messi had been a top player for the MLS side, scoring 11 goals and creating seven assists.
Inter Miami had never lost a single match, with Lionel Messi playing 90 minutes on the pitch.
How Inter Miami Lost the US Open Final Against the Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo got the breakthrough in the 24th minute of the first half. The goal came from Griffin Dorsey.
The Houston Dynamo had played like champions with good and attractive football, leading Inter Miami to bring down a Dynamo player in the 18-yard box.
The Houston Dynamo team was given a penalty, and club captain Amine Bassi wasted no time in sending Inter Miami goalkeeper Callender to the wrong side.
In the 75th minute of the match, the Houston Dynamo scored a beautiful goal to make it 3-0 in favor of the team.
However, due to VAR intervention, the Houston Dynamo’s third goal was canceled. Despite the disappointment of not getting the third goal, the Houston Dynamo kept pushing towards scoring more goals.
Inter Miami scored a consolation goal in the 92nd minute, with the fans already losing hope of getting an equalizer in the match.
Inter Miami Josef Martinez, who had been on top of his game in the absence of Lionel Messi, scored a beautiful goal against Dynamo in the 92nd minute.
What Next for Inter Miami and Houston Dynamo?
Inter Miami will face New York City on October 1, 2023, at 12:30 a.m. The fans are likely to see Lionel Messi play again for the club.
The Houston Dynamo, on the other hand, will welcome FC Dallas on October 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.
