While Lionel Messi was still absent on Saturday evening with Inter Miami, American fans criticized the club for not communicating about the Argentine’s state of health.
He wasn’t there, again. Announced uncertain, Lionel Messi remained in the stands for the meeting between Inter Miami and New York City (1-1). This is the fourth game he has missed in his team’s last five games. The only time he played, against Toronto on September 20, the Argentinian came off in the 37th minute.
What is Messi suffering from? It’s not very clear, and that’s the problem. His trainer Tata Martino spoke of a muscle injury in his leg linked to old scar tissue. And the return of the seven-time Ballon d’Or has been hoped for and then postponed for three meetings.
It’s a hard blow on a sporting level for Inter Miami, who lost the final of the US Open Cup without their playing master, and who must fight to grab a place in the playoffs. But it is also a subject of anger for spectators who pay very dearly for their tickets to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or. “Many fans on social media responded to the team’s messages with outrage at the lack of transparency over Messi’s status”observes ESPN.
As a reminder, the price of tickets has exploded for Inter Miami matches since the arrival of Messi. Each ticket sells for several hundred dollars, and the thousand-dollar mark is regularly crossed. Next season, some subscriptions for the Florida club’s matches will reach $40,000, and it’s not about box seats with unlimited champagne. At this price, we want to see Messi.
Many Inter Miami “supporters” left the stadium when Lionel Messi left with an injury in the 39th minute of the match against Toronto. 🤯
(🎥 @M30Xtra)pic.twitter.com/ALthPWRqQL
— PFC (@PassionFootClub) September 22, 2023
