Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami’s starting lineup in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final second leg against Monterrey. However, Messi’s return could not help the pink and black team get a ticket to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Miami entered the match 2-1 from the quarter-final first leg and things only got worse in the second match as Monterrey took down Messi and scored three times to win 5-2 on aggregate.
Brandon Vazquez opened the scoring for the home team in the first half, entering the second half Germán Berterame and Jesús Gallardo each scored another classy goal in the second half to end the MLS side’s hopes.
Jordi Alba couldn’t even keep his composure and was sent off at the end of the second half after receiving two yellow cards for a harsh foul, forcing Miami to end the match with 10 players.
In the final minutes, Diego Gomez scored an honorable goal for Miami from Messi’s direct free kick.
Overall, this was a defeat that impressed Messi and his teammates. Monterrey tightly controlled the game, the home team had 9 shots on target while Miami only had 2.
After the match, Monterrey’s social network even posted a post with the short text: “SIUUU” as if directed at Inter Miami’s No. 1 star. Everyone knows that SIUUU is a symbolic celebration of Ronaldo, Messi’s number 1 rival.
What’s more worth mentioning is that in the round before coach Martino, Messi and his teammates had a fight with a member of Monterrey’s coaching staff. This may be the reason why the Mexican team is prejudiced against Messi and the pink and black team. Inter Miami was officially fined by Concacaf for losing security in this match.
The loss to Monterrey extended Miami’s winless streak to 5. Inter Miami fans seem to be losing patience with the former Barcelona coach. The next match Inter Miami will face Sporting KC, this will be a better opportunity for Messi to bring Inter Miami back to winning ways.
