Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated return to the starting lineup couldn’t save Inter Miami from defeat in their final MLS season match as they fell 1-0 to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. Despite Messi’s efforts, Charlotte secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time with this victory.
Messi, serving as captain, played the entire game on artificial turf in this inconsequential match for Miami, who failed to secure a playoff spot. Nonetheless, the stakes were high for Charlotte, who clinched a playoff berth with this win and favorable results elsewhere.
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Kerwin Vargas scored the lone goal of the game in the 13th minute, but Miami came close on multiple occasions to equalizing and ending Charlotte’s postseason hopes.
In the 62nd minute, Messi’s free kick was brilliantly saved onto the post, and he also had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half. The match concluded in a thrilling fashion, with Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina making several outstanding saves to keep Miami at bay.
Finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte clinched the last playoff spot and will face the New York Red Bulls in a wild-card match.
Miami, who were in last place in the Eastern Conference when Messi and ex-Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joined in July, ended the season in 14th place with 34 points from 34 games. The team’s final six league matches with Messi resulted in three losses and three draws, contributing to their lackluster performance.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino acknowledged that his team was worn out from their demanding schedule as they concluded the season.
“We participated in three tournaments and managed to win one,” Martino stated through an interpreter. “The team was exhausted. That’s not an excuse, but it’s the reality.”
Miami and Charlotte also faced each other on Wednesday, resulting in a 2-2 draw in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Messi did not play in Wednesday’s match, as he had scored both of Argentina’s goals in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Peru the previous night.
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, is set to represent Inter Miami in their matches in China on Nov. 5 and Nov. 8. This marks Inter Miami’s first international tour. Following that, Argentina has additional World Cup qualifiers on Nov. 16 and Nov. 21, giving Messi an extended break before Inter Miami begins preparations for the 2024 season.
Messi ended his season with 11 goals in 14 matches for Inter Miami. During this period, the team recorded eight wins, two losses, and four draws, securing the Leagues Cup championship along the way. Messi also made five appearances in the MLS, starting three times and scoring one goal.
Messi featured in one U.S. Open Cup semifinal; however, a leg injury hindered his season and effectively extinguished Inter Miami’s chances of reaching the playoffs. Without Messi, Inter Miami went 1-3-3 in their last seven matches. Although he made a substitute appearance on Oct. 7 against Cincinnati, Inter Miami lost 1-0, sealing their elimination from playoff contention.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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