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This Saturday, Inter Miami closed its participation in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with a defeat (0-1) against Charlotte. Lionel Messi was a starter throughout the match, but couldn't prevent ending his first season with the pink team this way. In total, Leo scored 11 goals in 14 matches, across all the competitions he participated in the United States. 'Las Garzas' finished second to last in the Eastern Conference, so they didn't qualify for the 'Playoff' to compete for the national title.
With an auspicious start, after his unfortunate departure from PSG, Messi seems to have fulfilled the expectations of the fans. Although it's true that injuries prevented him from playing in every match, his goals helped the team led by Gerardo Martino in victories.
Leo's numbers detail that his start at Inter was unbeatable, after winning the Leagues Cup, the first trophy the Florida club could raise. Here he managed to score 10 goals in 7 matches, entering the history of the club founded in 2018.
The Inter Miami was also a finalist in the US Open Cup, after eliminating Cincinnati in the penalty shoot-out in the semifinals. Messi did not play in the final lost against the Houston Dynamo. His absence was due to an injury that kept him away from the football fields for several weeks.
On the other hand, he made his MLS debut with a goal on the field of the New York Red Bulls, but since then he has not found the net. He did not score against Nashville, Los Angeles FC or Charlotte, when he played the full 90 minutes, nor against Cincinnati, when he had just returned from an injury.
With a total of 34 points, Inter Miami finished in the penultimate position with 34 points and could only obtain three points in the last six matches they played. It is worth noting that, before Messi's arrival, the team was in last place.
How long will Messi not play with Inter Miami?
Lionel will not play football for four months. During this time, it is expected that he will participate in some matches of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with the Argentine national team, but nothing at the club level. The next MLS season in the United States will start in February.
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