Breaking News in the world of soccer! Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine star, was notably absent from Inter Miami’s game against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night. This marked the fifth time in the last six matches that Messi has missed while playing for the MLS club.
Messi’s absence was due to a nagging scar tissue ailment that had been bothering him since his involvement in World Cup qualifying matches. He was listed as questionable on Inter Miami’s injury report leading up to the game. In preparation, he worked out separately from the team on Tuesday.
Despite Messi’s absence, the game at Soldier Field drew a massive crowd, with the Fire selling a team-record 61,000 tickets. In light of Messi’s unavailability, prospective season-ticket holders were offered a $250 credit toward next season, while single-game spectators could claim a $50 credit if they chose not to attend.
Chicago Fire’s coach, Frank Klopas, acknowledged the disappointment of fans not seeing Messi but praised his team’s performance as they went on to win the game 4-1.
Lionel Messi has been a standout performer for Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals in 12 matches. The team has an impressive record of 8 wins, 0 draws, and 4 losses when he plays. This includes their victory in the Leagues Cup championship and a strong performance in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal. In contrast, Inter Miami has struggled in matches without Messi, with a record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
Inter Miami’s coach, Gerardo Martino, acknowledged Messi’s impact, stating that both Barcelona and the Argentine national team had missed the services of the world’s best player. However, there was no clear timeline provided for Messi’s return to the field.
In the game against Chicago Fire, Xherdan Shaqiri and Maren Haile-Selassie were the stars, each scoring twice for the Fire, while Josef Martinez managed to score a penalty kick for Inter Miami.
As for Inter Miami’s playoff hopes, they face an uphill battle with 33 points and only three games remaining. They are currently five points behind Montreal, who occupy the last playoff berth, and they have four other teams to contend with in the race for the postseason.
