As Inter Miami loses 1-0 to Charlotte FC, Lionel Messi’s first MLS season comes to an end quietly inter miami fc
.
The first campaign of Lionel Messi with MLS team Inter Miami has quietly concluded.
In Charlotte FC’s 1-0 victory at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, Messi played the entire game and had a goal disallowed for offsides as well as a free kick deflected off the crossbar.
Messi was aggressive, focused, and running hard like the match was important while donning the black “La Noche” Inter Miami jersey for the first time since joining the club in late July. It wasn’t, though.
Goalie Kristijan Kahlina stopped two shots in the final seconds, including a header by Leo Campana. Charlotte saw two Inter Miami goals overturned by offsides penalties.Messi’s corner kick and his own fingertips helped the team advance to the MLS postseason.
Messi didn’t need to participate. This month, Inter Miami was disqualified from the playoffs. And the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup champion could have maintained his health after regaining it following an injury in September
In Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Peru in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game, Messi looked impressive, scoring in the 32nd and 42nd minutes, and he insisted on seeing Inter Miami’s season out.
For the first time in the MLS, Messi played on artificial grass rather than actual grass. In addition, Inter Miami used its final away game of the year to evaluate its lineup before a protracted offseason that could include a trip to China in early November for two friendlies and additional roster rebuilding.
Messi and Inter Miami will play matches against Chengdu Rongcheng on November 8 and Qingdao Hainiu F.C. on November 5 in China, respectively. For the Argentine team’s games against Brazil and Uruguay on November 16 and 21, he will also be back.
Last month, Messi missed games in Atlanta, Orlando, and Chicago due to an injury to his right leg. He sat out of six Inter Miami games, including the team’s defeat to Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final.
Messi scored 11 goals and assists five more in 14 appearances for Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, and Jorge and Jose Mas. But the club finished its season winless in its last seven games.
I would have signed with my eyes closed if you had told me we would win one of the three tournaments when I was signing the contract. ‘Tata’ Martino, the coach of Inter Miami, commented on the Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and MLS postseason.
Even though the Messi era’s inaugural season ended quietly, it was an unqualified success.
Messi free kicks miss in 62’ and 65’: Charlotte FC 1, Miami 0
Messi had another free kick that he attempted to take from about 40 to 45 yards away, but his attempt was blocked by players. In order to set up the kick, Messi was tripped in the 65th minute by two Charlotte defenders.Leo Messi came close to scoring spectacularly off a free kick.
In the 62nd minute, Messi’s free kick from the right side of the box was deflected by the Charlotte goalkeeper and struck the crossbar. After Kerwin Vargas of Charlotte committed a handball and scored the game’s lone goal, the opportunity presented itself.
Offsides prevented Messi from scoring: Charlotte FC 1, Inter Miami 0.
Just before the second half started, Messi received an outlet pass and jogged toward the penalty area to take a chip shot over the head of the Charlotte goalie.
However, Messi’s lone shot on goal in this game was offsides.
Messi failed to score.
Messi’s subsequent shot was stopped by a Charlotte defender a minute later.
Missed shot by Inter Miami leaves Charlotte FC ahead, 1-0.
In the box, Messi found a gap behind a few Charlotte defenders, but Leo Campana’s pass eluded Messi in the 40th minute.
Earlier, a defender deflected a shot by Diego Gomez after Messi’s pass to Deandre Yedlin set up the opportunity. It was Inter Miami’s opening volley of the contest.
During the first half of this game, Messi has been comparatively quiet, but active and running hard when involved.
Kerwin Vargas scores for Charlotte FC to defeat Inter Miami.
Messi, wearing a long sleeve black shirt under his black “La Noche” Inter Miami jersey with the captain’s armband, contested a ball around the midline but has played patiently during the first 10 minutes of the match.
However, Charlotte FC has taken the lead in this one in an effort to maintain its playoff hopes.
In the 13th minute, Kerwin Vargas scored to give Charlotte FC a 1-0 lead in this game.
Messi in starting lineup for Inter Miami at Charlotte
Messi will not only start, but he will also play: For the match against Charlotte on Saturday, Messi was listed as one of Inter Miami’s starters.
Here is a picture of Messi getting ready for the game.It is unclear how much Messi will participate in the game. He might play since it’s the first half. After halftime, he might make an early exit.
The future? Messi might decide to play the entire game for no apparent reason.
Action is seen in the Messi Inter Miami black jersey.
In today’s game against Charlotte, Messi will don Inter Miami’s black jersey for the first time in the Messi era.
Since Messi joined Inter Miami in late July, the team has worn their pink Heartbeat Kit uniforms on a regular basis.
Messi fans eager to see him in Inter Miami’s La Noche kit received a treat when Inter Miami teased its jersey kit in a social media post prior to the game.
On MLS Decision Day, Messi participates.
Messi will receive some attention on Saturday, but the MLS playoff picture will start to take shape after today’s schedule of games.
Five teams are vying for two remaining playoff spots in the Eastern Conference: CF Montréal, New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire FC, Charlotte FC, and New York City FC.And for the final three playoff spots in the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City, and Minnesota United FC will face off.
Messi claims he’ll participate in Charlotte.
Messi will be a selection in Inter Miami’s starting lineup, though it is unclear if he will start or sit on the bench.
Following his most recent performance, in which he scored twice to lead Argentina past Peru late on Tuesday night in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game, Messi announced his intention to participate in the game.
After the Peru game, Messi spoke with TyC Sports and TVP in a sideline interview. “I will train, I will play our remaining upcoming match,” he said.
Messi worked out with his Inter Miami teammates on Friday, and according to assistant coach Javi Morales, the team will decide how much of the match he will play on Saturday.
He played 90 minutes with Argentina and did well upon his return. He returned without any issues or concerns.
“Messi was worried because of what had happened to him in the past,” said Morales.
He is doing very well, is in good health, and wants to play, which is what he enjoys doing, so everything is fine.
Why Messi made a special choice to play in Charlotte
The fact that Messi chose to play for Charlotte FC is significant because it will be his first MLS game on artificial turf.
Messi expressed interest in playing on turf during his one and only press conference for Inter Miami in August.
I’ve always played on turf in all of my lower leagues, according to Messi.
“That was a long time ago, and I haven’t played on artificial turf in a very long time. But I have no trouble adjusting to the turf once more.
Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer, expressed the hope that MLS teams using turf would lay down a grass surface on top of it, but Charlotte was outspoken in opposing the idea just for Messi.
There is no plan to switch to natural grass, Charlotte FC stated in a statement in July. “All of our Major League Soccer matches are scheduled to be played on turf,” the team said.
How did Messi perform over his previous three games?
Messi appears to be in good health following Argentina’s 2-0 victory.
He played the entire game for the first time since suffering a right leg injury while playing for Argentina on September 7 that kept him out for the majority of the previous six weeks with Inter Miami. He appeared sharp and in good shape.
In contrast to his previous two performances, Messi’s performance on October 12 against Paraguay was a marked improvement. During that game, Messi twice struck the crossbar due to rust. One of those occasions involved a free kick with the goal being scored, something Messi has done frequently since joining Inter Miami this summer.
Even so, it was a better performance than his return for Inter Miami against FC Cincinnati on October 7, when he went without a shot on target. Inter Miami suffered its first defeat with Messi starting, losing 1-0.eliminated their MLS playoff hopes.
What does Leo Messi have planned for the summer?
Following the match against Peru, Messi discussed his plans for the offseason.
He did not, however, mention playing in the two international friendlies that Inter Miami played in early November against Chinese super teams.
Messi stated, “I will work out, play my team’s final upcoming game, and I will try to get here [to the national team] as quickly as I can for the qualifying matches in November.
“I’ll spend the holidays in Argentina after that. I’m going to have more days off in December for the first time ever because of the holidays, my family, and peace of mind. I’ll be back in January to complete preseason. As always, start fresh and make the best possible preparations.
Messi and Inter Miami are visiting China.
In an effort to benefit from Messi’s global brand while advancing its own internationally, Inter Miami will play two friendlies in China on November 5 and 8.
On November 5 at the Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, Inter Miami will play the Qingdao Hainiu F.C., and on November 8 at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park in Chengdu, China, they will play the Chengdu Rongcheng.
For Argentina’s matches against Uruguay on November 16 and Brazil on November 21, Messi is most likely to make a comeback.