Messi to the rescue? Inter Miami tease TIMELY injury return ahead of playoff decider
Tom Weber
- Updated: 7 Oct 2023 14:12 BST
- 3 min read
Inter Miami's playoff hopes are hanging in the balance, but Lionel Messi could yet come to the rescue.
David Beckham's Major League Soccer side were languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference when the Argentine World Cup winner arrived. While Messi immediately lifted his club, the Fort Lauderdale-based side actually were not in action in MLS.
Instead, Messi inspired the Floridians to make a title charge in the Leagues Cup, where Miami triumphed over Liga MX outfits and fellow MLS sides before lifting the trophy after a thrilling penalty shootout against Nashville.
READ: Barcelona’s 'next Messi' has the world at his feet
Upon returning to MLS play, the influence of Messi continued to be felt - until it didn't. Inter Miami would win three of the four games that Messi featured in, but an injury has since forced the 36-year-old to watch from the sidelines, and their form has nosedived.
Inter Miami are STRUGGLING without the GOAT! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/qwHizWLPZZ
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 7, 2023
Miami's beacon of hope
Without Messi, Miami have only won once in six attempts, also losing the US Open Cup final to the Houston Dynamo. After getting smashed 4-1 by the Chicago Fire in their most recent game, Tata Martino's side are staring into the abyss.
Currently second bottom of the Eastern Conference, Miami face a tough task on Saturday evening (Sunday morning for Europeans) against pace-setters Cincinnati, who have only lost five matches all season, to salvage their playoff hopes.
READ: Barcelona wonderkid compared to Messi & Maradona by Spain boss
Miami not only need to win but they also need to rely on the teams around them to do them favours in the final games of the regular season. If they miss out on the playoffs, Messi will be without MLS action for up to four months, which has given rise to rumours of a Barcelona return.
Beckham's club have, however, been given a boost ahead of their crunch clash with Cincy. Miami teased Messi's potential comeback on social media, accompanying a picture of him with the caption "see you tomorrow." Can Messi come to Inter's rescue?
