The Tough Reality of Inter Miami Without Messi

Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, the club’s story has been like that of a phoenix rising from the ashes in American soccer. What once seemed like just an ambitious project that couldn’t quite find its footing suddenly had its hopes reignited in a big way with the arrival of the Argentine superstar. But, ironically, that magic seems to be fading just a bit due to Messi’s unfortunate injury.

The season started with high hopes for Miami, powered by a squad that could make any fan daydream. Alongside Messi, legends like Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez brought that European flair, class, and experience to the field. The team shot up the rankings like a rocket, squaring off with the MLS heavyweights. Truth be told, Inter Miami, Messi or not, has proven to be a team that keeps fighting and holding its own at the top. Even with Messi missing 17 games, they’ve managed to score 56 goals in 25 matches—the best attack in the league. That alone is proof that there’s plenty of talent on the roster. But, as they say, the devil’s in the details. When push came to shove, the team faltered. Two painful exits: one in the Champions Cup quarterfinals against Monterrey, and an even more gut-wrenching one in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 against Columbus Crew after blowing a two-goal lead. These stumbles raise a tough question: Can Inter Miami handle the pressure of big competitions without their maestro on the field?

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Messi’s absence isn’t just felt by the fans—it’s hitting his teammates, too. Busquets, another seasoned veteran, was upfront, saying the team would’ve been much stronger with Messi in the lineup. "Everyone knows the difference he makes," Busquets admitted after the Leagues Cup elimination. And it’s no exaggeration. When Messi’s out there, it’s like the ball has its own set of rules, as if it’s programmed to find his feet.

But now, Messi’s sidelined, and Inter Miami has to face the music. The legend suffered an ankle injury during the Copa América final, and his return? Still a question mark. Sure, he’s ditched the protective boot and resumed training, but he hasn’t rejoined full practice with the team just yet. This lingering uncertainty casts a shadow of tension over the squad. Will he make it back in time for the MLS season’s final stretch? Martino, the coach, is playing it safe. He knows how vital Messi is, but he’s also fully aware that the game doesn’t wait for anyone. The team has to figure things out without him.

With just one trophy left to play for—the coveted MLS Cup—the pressure is cranked up. The team needs to stay locked in, keep racking up points, and be ready for the playoffs. But let’s be real—without Messi, this mission gets a whole lot trickier. The team’s already shown they can compete without him, but winning? That’s a whole different ballgame.

Can Messi return in time to save Inter Miami? Or will he be stuck on the sidelines, watching as his teammates try to hold down the fort? The answer isn’t so cut and dry. What’s clear is that Inter Miami, with or without Messi, needs to find a way to push through the hurdles and stay in the hunt for that championship. While a genius like Messi can certainly be a game-changer, no one player can carry the entire team on their back.