Messi’s hamstring issue casts doubt on Inter Miami’s cup final lineup
The Inter Miami coach acknowledged that Lionel Messi remains sidelined by a right hamstring strain and might not be ready for the upcoming showdown with the Houston Dynamo.
Inter Miami stands on the brink of lifting a second trophy in its brief yet ambitious history. But instead of basking in the glow of a potential title, the team faces a cloud of uncertainty as the United States Open Cup final approaches. With the match slated for next Wednesday, the 27th, questions linger about whether Messi will be in the squad to face Houston Dynamo and help deliver a triumph for the club in front of its supporters across North America.
Despite assurances from the club that Messi is not suffering from a muscle injury, he has been dealing with residual discomfort in his right hamstring. The issue surfaced during the South American qualifier clash between Argentina and Ecuador on a recent Thursday and led to his absence from Sunday’s rivalry match with Orlando City. He then rejoined the team only for a final training session before the cup decider, leaving fans and analysts weighing how much risk the team should take in a high-stakes final.
The situation places the head coach in a tough position: balance the risk of aggravating the injury with the potential reward of fielding a player who has a transformative impact on the game. Inter Miami’s tactical plan, often built around Messi’s playmaking and goal-scoring ability, could be altered if the star is not available. The dynamics of the match would shift, requiring other players to step up and fill the creative void that Messi routinely creates with his vision, pace, and precision in the final third.
What matters most is the long arc of the club’s season. A positive result in the cup final would not only cement Inter Miami’s early success on the American soccer stage but also underline the ability of a relatively new squad to compete at the highest levels against seasoned rivals. The coaching staff has indicated patience and careful symptom management, signaling that the team would rather miss one match than risk a longer setback. This approach reflects a growing understanding within the squad of how to manage top-tier talent during a congested schedule while still pushing for the prize at stake.
Ultimately, the final decision about Messi’s involvement will hinge on the latest medical updates and the coaching staff’s assessment of how much minutes he can safely handle. The tension around his status adds to what promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aware that the cup final is not just a single game but a milestone that could shape the club’s trajectory for the rest of the season. Fans are hoping for clarity soon, but the priority remains clear: protecting a player who is pivotal to the club’s ambitions while maximizing the chances of lifting the trophy in front of a devoted supporter base that has already embraced the meteoric rise of Inter Miami in a short span of time.