Inter Miami’s Record Without Lionel Messi Examined As He Faces Race to Be Fit for US Open Cup Final

• Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami’s last match against Orlando City SC due to muscle discomfort
• The Herons are 1-1-1 without the 36-year-old Argentine star in their lineup this month
• Messi first experienced the muscle problem during Argentina’s match against Ecuador

Lionel Messi’s status for the US Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo remains uncertain after he missed Inter Miami’s training session on Tuesday due to muscle discomfort.

He is now in a race against time to be fit for one of the Herons’ biggest games of the year.

Sports Brief looks at Inter Miami’s record without the Argentine star as they entertain the possibility of Messi sitting out the crunch clash against Houston.

Inter Miami’s record before Messi’s arrival

Before Messi joined Inter Miami last July, the Herons had the worst record in Major League Soccer this season.

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They were languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 18 points scored after 22 league matches, per The Athletic.

Inter Miami had five wins, three draws, and 14 losses this season in MLS before the Leagues Cup break.

Messi sparks Inter Miami revival

Their fortunes started to turn once Messi joined their squad ahead of the Leagues Cup.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner started his professional career in the United States like a house on fire, leading Inter Miami to their first-ever title with a remarkable championship run in the Leagues Cup.

He scored 10 goals during that title push, including at least one each in the seven Leagues Cup matches Inter Miami played in that tournament.

Messi also helped the Herons secure a spot in the US Open Cup Final, delivering two assists in their come-from-behind semis win over FC Cincinnati.

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The 36-year-old also boosted Inter Miami’s push to reach the MLS Cup playoffs, helping them record two wins and one draw in their first three matches after the Leagues Cup break.

Herons deal with Messi’s absence

Messi suited up for Argentina during the international break this month, forcing him to miss Inter Miami’s match against Sporting Kansas City.

The Herons still pulled off the victory without their captain, recording a 3-2 win on September 9. Leonardo Campana scored twice, and Facundo Farias netted the other goal for Inter Miami.

Messi returned to the United States after playing just one match for Argentina in their World Cup qualifiers.

Messi, who scored the winning goal against Ecuador, asked to be substituted in the 88th minute of that match.

He underwent tests to determine if he was injured, but doctors gave him the go-ahead to travel to Bolivia with his teammates.

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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni played it safe, though, as he opted to rest his star for the high-altitude contest.

Messi returned to the United States ahead of Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United, but he decided not to take part in that away game.

Inter Miami struggled without him in their lineup, losing 5-2 to Atlanta United.

Messi and Jordi Alba were deemed fit and ready to go for their next match against Toronto FC, with the former Barcelona stars returning to Inter Miami’s starting lineup in that clash.

The gamble didn’t pay off, though, for coach Gerardo Martino as Messi and Alba both limped off injured in the first half of Inter Miami’s 4-0 win, per Fox Sports.

Messi and Alba missed Inter Miami’s next match against Orlando City SC as a result, with the Herons settling for a 1-1 draw.

They have recorded one win, one loss, and one draw without Messi in their lineup.

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They remain five points behind a playoff spot with two games in hand.

Will Messi play vs. Houston?

Sports Brief recently reported on Martino providing an update on Messi’s availability for the US Open Cup final.

The Inter Miami head coach said that he would listen to Messi first and see how he’s feeling ahead of the match.

Martino added that it is not an easy decision to make.