Lionel Messi suffered an injury and only played some minutes in the first half of Inter Miami’s MLS game against Toronto FC. The Argentine did not make any impact in his 37 minutes on the pitch before being subbed off due to injury, leaving fans sweating on his availability in tonight’s US Open Final game against Houston Dynamo.
Inter Miami have struggled without their star man this season. The Florida-based club suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat against Atlanta United in Messi’s absence. However, a last-minute miracle in regard to Messi’s injury means he could be involved in the club’s second major final tonight.
Positive updates on Lionel Messi’s participation in Inter Miami’s US Open Final
Lionel Messi has been out injured since Inter Miami’s emphatic 4-0 win over Toronto FC. The Florida-based MLS only had their star player for 37 minutes before his injury in the first half paved the way for teammate Robert Taylor to shine. In Messi’s absence in the match, Taylor scored a beautiful brace, taking the club a step further in their quest to make the MLS playoffs.
Nevertheless, Inter Miami struggled without the man that has scored 11 goals and five assists for them in their next MLS game against Orlando City in a 1-1 draw. Many had been wondering how the team would cope without their talisman in the US Open Final against Houston Dynamo tonight, but updates from several sources on Messi’s fitness have given the fans a little bit of optimism and hope.
“Lionel Messi will not start tomorrow’s US OPEN CUP FINAL but will be on the bench and could possibly see some minutes in the second half”, a source confirmed on X (formerly Twitter).
Former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets also opened up on the possibility of Messi playing in the final, and he quickly offered a glimpse of hope. “It’s obviously a handicap if you don’t have the best player in the world playing, so we will wait for tomorrow and hope for the best”, the former Barcelona captain said.
While everyone associated with Inter Miami hopes Messi is fit enough to play, opposition manager Ben Olsen is more concerned about how to stop him if he makes it to the pitch.
“I don’t have the magic bullet to stop Lionel Messi”, the Houston Dynamo coach jokingly said. He’ll be hoping Messi doesn’t see any minutes of play in the match to have a chance of lifting the trophy for his team.
Lionel Messi is back to training with Inter Miami team ahead of US Open Final
Inter Miami’s manager Gerard Martino must be happy to have Lionel Messi back in training ahead of tonight’s US Open Final against Houston Dynamo. The World Cup winner was pictured in training, much to the fans’ excitement about seeing their team’s star man in action since the 4-0 win over Toronto FC, where he limped off in the first half of the game due to injury.
Messi will bolster Inter Miami’s attack, and with 11 goals and five assists so far this season, there’s no better person to rely on for goal contributions than the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Will Lionel Messi help Inter Miami win another final tonight?
