Lionel Messi Misses Another Inter Miami Match With Leg Injury, Team Salvages 1-1 Tie
Inter Miami's star player Lionel Messi was sidelined once again due to a leg injury as his team faced off against New York City FC in a crucial Major League Soccer (MLS) match.
Messi's absence has become a recurring pattern, causing uncertainty among fans and raising questions about the extent of his injury, which has not been disclosed by Inter Miami.
The team announced Messi's absence just 45 minutes before the game, leaving fans disappointed but still hopeful for a positive outcome. In a dramatic turn of events, Tomás Avilés scored a header in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami, rescuing a point in the match. NYCFC had taken the lead with a goal by Santiago Rodriguez in the 77th minute.
Messi, who is 36 years old, has now missed four out of Inter Miami's last five matches, with the only game he participated in being a brief 37-minute appearance against Toronto on September 20. He left that match before halftime due to what is believed to be a hamstring issue. The nature and severity of his leg injury that kept him out of the NYCFC clash remain undisclosed.
Inter Miami is currently in a precarious position in the MLS playoff race, with their postseason hopes hanging in the balance. The team is four points behind Montreal for the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami has four matches left in the season, while Montreal has three. The 1-1 tie with NYCFC has further complicated their playoff chances.
The mystery surrounding Messi's status for the rest of the season has left fans frustrated, especially those who have invested financially to attend matches with the hope of witnessing the legendary player in action. Many fans have expressed their displeasure on social media, demanding transparency regarding Messi's condition.
Inter Miami is also making headlines off the field due to significant increases in season ticket prices for the upcoming season. The club has reportedly sent out season-ticket renewal notices with substantial price hikes across various sections. While price increases were anticipated to some extent, the extent of these raises has surprised and concerned fans.
Despite the price hikes, Inter Miami's revenue streams have been bolstered by the signing of Messi, who has become the league's top jersey seller this season. Alongside Messi, his teammate Sergio Busquets also ranks among the top jersey sellers in MLS. Messi's arrival has undoubtedly brought a new level of attention and commercial success to the club.
Messi, who has scored 11 goals in 12 matches for Inter Miami this season, remains a key figure for the team's performance. Inter Miami has maintained an unbeaten record when Messi plays, boasting an 8-0-4 record. However, without him, the team's performance has been less consistent, recording a 1-2-2 record in the last five matches without Messi.
The uncertainty surrounding Messi's availability and his impact on the team's results continue to be topics of discussion among Inter Miami supporters as the season progresses.
SportsLigue