Lionel Messi "Healed" After Injury But Inter Miami's MLS Cup Dream Is Over
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino declared on Saturday night that Lionel Messi was "healed" following his recent hamstring injury issues.
Martino was speaking after Messi featured as a second-half substitute in Miami's 1-0 home loss to FC Cincinnati.
That defeat ended Miami's hopes of qualifying for the post-season playoffs and the MLS Cup.
Messi had only appeared in one of Miami's previous six games prior to Saturday and he did not look fully match fit after coming on in the 55th minute.
"His injury is healed, but his rhythm was just off," Martino told reporters. "He hasn't played much, that's why I only played him 35 minutes."
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi pictured at DRV PNK Stadium before Saturday's game against FC Cincinnati
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Matias J. Ocner
Messi attempted three shots on Saturday - including two from free-kicks - but failed to hit the target with any of them.
Eastern Conference table-toppers Cincinnati scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute when Alvaro Barreal converted a rebound after Yuya Kubo had been denied by Drake Callender.
Miami can only now finish as high as 12th in the Eastern Conference, with the playoff places stopping at ninth.
Messi's debut MLS campaign will therefore end on October 21 after two remaining fixtures - both against Charlotte FC.
