Inter Miami lost 1-2 to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final without injured Argentine star Lionel Messi.
Houston took control of the match from the start thanks to two quick goals from Griffin Dorsey (24) and Moroccan Amin Bassi (33 via penalty kick), before Inter scored a face-saving goal through Venezuelan Joseph Martinez (90+2).
Messi and his former Barcelona team-mate, Spaniard Jordi Alba, were absent, along with England co-owner David Beckham and their side’s short-lived second title after winning the League Cup last month. His former Real Madrid teammate in Florida was Frenchman Zinedine Zidane.
No clear reasons have been given for Messi’s absence and the extent of his injury, but he was previously reported to be suffering from “muscle fatigue”, while Argentina coach Gerardo “Tada” Martino spoke of the “repercussions” of an old injury.
“It wasn’t smart to play him,” Martino said after the match, “because we were taking a risk and we couldn’t even think about playing him for a few minutes.”
An angry Messi. If he comes back and Inter Miami makes the playoffs…revenge. 💪
pic.twitter.com/e0uZ85PGUZ— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) September 28, 2023
The former Barcelona and Argentina coach said he expects Messi (36) to play in Miami’s next five games in the American League’s regular season.
He added, “He will definitely play before the end of the league. We will follow each match individually and see how things go and whether the medical team can clear him to play without any risk.”
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