Despite missing the MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi stated he is “proud” with what his club accomplished in his debut season at Inter Miami.
Messi played the full match as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to Charlotte FC on Saturday to round off the season.
Messi wrote on Instagram, “I am happy of all the squad did this season.
“Thanks to everyone’s dedication and commitment, we were able to win the Leagues Cup, becoming the first Inter Miami CF team to ever win a championship; we also advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final; and we fought almost all the way to the end to make the MLS playoffs.
“We still have everything going for us, most importantly the drive to get better so we can be even more competitive next year. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at the club and the city of Miami for their unwavering support. As has been the case lately, I have little doubt that we will continue to have amazing experiences together.”
Messi, 36, concluded the season with 11 goals in 14 games for Inter Miami. In eight contests, the squad had a record of 8–2-4; seven of the games took place during the team’s march to its first-ever championship, the Leagues Cup. The captain of Argentina took part in five MLS games, starting three of them, and contributed one goal.
Messi participated in one U.S. Open Cup semifinal, but his season was cut short by a hamstring injury, therefore eliminating Inter Miami’s prospects of making the semifinals.
Without Messi, Miami went 1-3-3 in seven games after he joined the team. On October 7 against FC Cincinnati, he was able to participate as a substitute, but Inter Miami lost 1-0, ending its chances of making the playoffs.
The presence of the Argentina forward in the US led to a spike in ticket and merchandise sales.
Jorge Mas, the controlling shareholder of Inter Milan, stated earlier this month that “everything has changed” since Messi joined the team.
The MLS team announced earlier this month that it would embark on its first international trip and that it would play two exhibition games in China on November 5 and November 8.
When Argentina plays Brazil and Uruguay in World Cup qualifications, the former Barcelona player will then join the team.