Lionel Messi Will Not Play in US Open Cup Final vs Houston Dynamo, Alba Also Out for Inter Miami

• Lionel Messi won’t play in the U.S. Open Cup Final against Houston Dynamo
• The Argentine star was not included on the team sheet for Inter Miami tonight
• He has not played since he was substituted in the first half against Toronto FC

Bad news, Lionel Messi fans.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will not play for Inter Miami against Houston Dynamo after he was not included on the team sheet for tonight’s game.

It is a huge blow for the Herons, who are looking to win their second title this year in the U.S. Open Cup Final.

Messi's injury timeline

Messi did not even make the bench for tonight's important clash.

Messi’s injury concerns first started when he suited up for Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

He asked to be substituted late in the match against Ecuador just minutes after scoring the match-winning goal via a free kick.

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The 36-year-old later underwent medical tests to determine if he was injured, but doctors in Argentina gave him the go-ahead to travel to Bolivia with his teammates for their World Cup qualifying match.

La Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni decided to play it safe, though, resting his star for the high-altitude matchup with Bolivia.

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

Inter Miami struggled without Messi in their lineup as they lost 5-2 to Atlanta United.

Messi and Alba gamble backfires

Messi and Jordi Alba were deemed fit and ready to go for their next MLS game against Toronto FC, with the Inter Miami stars returning to the starting lineup for that clash.

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

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They will both miss the U.S. Open Cup Final as a result.

Inter Miami's record without Messi

Sports Brief recently examined Inter Miami's record without Messi in their lineup.

They are 1-1-1 without the Argentine star in their lineup this month.

The Herons drew with Orlando City in their last match.