Digimagaz.com – In a highly anticipated showdown, Lionel Messi’s return to the pitch was put on hold as Inter Miami fell to a 2-1 defeat against Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final on Wednesday night. Messi, the 36-year-old Argentine superstar, had been sidelined due to an “old injury” and missed Miami’s draw against Orlando City earlier in the week.
Griffin Dorsey and a crucial Amine Bassi penalty kick propelled Houston to a 2-0 lead, securing their second US Open Cup victory in the last five years. Despite a late consolation goal from Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez during stoppage time, the Dynamo held on for the victory.
The absence of Messi, as well as Spain defender Jordi Alba, who also missed the match due to injury, proved to be a significant setback for Miami. Manager Gerardo Martino, himself a former Barcelona and Argentina boss, emphasized the club’s commitment to Messi’s full recovery, stating that it was not “prudent for him to play” and that risking his health was not an option.
“It was not prudent for him to play. We couldn’t even consider playing him for a few minutes because we would be taking risks,” Martino said, underlining the importance of Messi’s return to full fitness for the club.
Despite Messi’s absence, there is optimism among Miami fans, as Martino confirmed that the Argentine icon will “certainly play before the league is over.” The Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season is set to conclude on October 21, with the playoffs scheduled from October 25 to December 9.
Since joining Inter Miami in July after his Paris St-Germain contract expired, Messi has made a significant impact on the MLS franchise, contributing 11 goals and providing five assists. His return to the field is eagerly awaited by both fans and teammates as Inter Miami strives to make their mark in the league and secure a playoff spot.
