Inter Miami looks to get second title with Messi’s presence still in question

The Herons face Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final this Wednesday

Just over two months after his Inter Miami debut, Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi could have the chance to lift his second trophy with the Herons. The team coached by Gerardo “Tata” Martino will play the US Open Cup final this Wednesday night against Houston Dynamo. Inter will host the game, looking to add the second title in its history. But not everything is pitch perfect, however, as Messi’s presence is still in doubt as he’s still struggling with an injury.

The Argentine’s star availability for the game has been the main talking point all week. He’s been dragging some discomfort in his right hamstring since Argentina’s South American Qualifiers clash with Ecuador on September 7. He asked to be taken off 36 minutes into the first half of his first game back with the Herons last Wednesday. He did not play in the last game against Orlando City on Sunday.

“I’ll sit and talk with him on the day of the match,” Martino said in the press conference before the final. “We’ll see how he feels and agree on what’s best for everyone. The player comes first, then the final, and then the team’s goals. Those are the three factors that we’ll judge. All players are different; all this comes down to ‘Leo’ being who he is.”

Messi’s importance for Inter Miami is nothing new at this point. Since his arrival, the team that used to struggle in the MLS has become a powerhouse of sorts, winning nine of the 13 games they’ve played. Its sole defeat came against Atlanta United on September 16, without the World Cup-winner on the team.

“It’s a huge disadvantage when you’re missing the best player in the world,” said midfielder Sergio Busquets, who played with Messi previously at Barcelona. “He makes such a yawning gulf in the team’s statistics. But we’ll have to wait. I hope there is a chance he can be there. Playing next to him is a gift.”

Should Messi lift the oldest football cup in the United States (the US Open Cup was first played in 1914), he will undoubtedly top the record for most titles won by a footballer. He currently sits tied at 43 with former teammate Dani Alves. There is some controversy regarding the number of titles Messi has won, with some arguing that he already has 44 and is the sole record holder. 

Although some add the 2005 Supercopa de España to Messi’s tally, others say it shouldn’t since he was not an official part of the Barcelona squad that played in that competition. At the time, the competition only allowed each side to register 18 players between starters and bench players. Then-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard chose not to include Messi, who was coming off his Argentina National Team debut.

The US Open Cup final is played as a single game, with 30 minutes of extra time if teams are tied after regulation. Should the tie persist, a penalty shootout will decide the winner. The game will be played this Wednesday at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale at 8:30 p.m. local time, 9:30 p.m. Buenos Aires time. In Argentina, it will be broadcast by sports network TyC Sports.

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