Inter Miami lost the US Open Cup final to the Houston Dynamo 1-2, in the absence of its injured Argentine star, Lionel Messi.
Houston took control of the match from the beginning thanks to two quick goals by Griffin Dorsey (24) and Moroccan Amine Bassi (33 from a penalty kick), before Inter scored a face-saving goal via Venezuelan Josef Martinez (90+2).
Messi and his former Barcelona teammate, the Spaniard Jordi Alba, were absent, and their team failed to win its second title in a short period of time after winning the League Cup last month, under the watchful eye of English co-owner David Beckham and his former Real Madrid teammate, Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, in Florida.
No clear reasons were given regarding Messi’s absence and the extent of his injury, but it was previously reported that he was suffering from “muscle fatigue,” while Argentine Inter coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino spoke of “effects” from an old injury.
“It was not wise for him to play,” Martino said after the match. “We couldn’t even think about playing him for a few minutes because we would be taking a risk.”
An angry Messi. If he comes back and Inter Miami makes it to the playoffs…there will be retribution. 💪
pic.twitter.com/e0uZ85PGUZ— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceste) September 28, 2023
The former Barcelona and Argentina coach said that he expects Messi (36 years old) to participate at some point in the next five remaining matches for Miami in the regular season of the American League.
He added, “He will definitely play before the league ends. We will follow each match individually and see how things will go and whether the medical team can give him approval to play without any risks.”
2023-09-28 20:08:05
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