No Messi for 4 months as Inter Miami ends MLS season with loss to Charlotte

Argentine Superstar player Lionel Messi lost his final game of his rookie season in the US MLS with Inter Miami.

At FC Charlotte, the Florida team, captained by Messi, fell short 0-1 early on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

After a lackluster start to the season, it was already obvious that Miami would not qualify for the playoffs without Messi.

In the thirteenth minute, Colombian forward Kerwin Vargas scored the game-winning goal for Charlotte after taking advantage of Inter's defensive lapse.

Messi missed numerous opportunities to score, particularly in the second half, despite his relentless attempts.

However, there is no denying his influence since joining Major League Soccer in July.

Messi's pay is one of the best examples of his unique status in Major League Soccer.

In Miami, the superstar receives $20.4 million (19.2 million euros).

Messi's signing was greatly aided by sales of jerseys, tickets, and streaming services.

The seven-time world football player was unable to help Inter Miami's already improbable playoff qualifying run, but he did manage to secure the team's first championship.

Messi led all scorers and was the best player in the competition between teams from the USA and Mexico when Miami defeated Nashville SC in the League Cup final.

He scored 11 goals in 14 games overall for Miami, and the team only won one of the seven games without Messi.

Messi and the team will likely travel to China for a promotional tour at the start of November.

After two more international games for Argentina, the superstar is anticipated to take a longer break before getting ready for the start of the new Major League Soccer season in January.

It appears unlikely that he will return to FC Barcelona or Saudi Arabia for the winter.