UNITED STATES: Inter Miami is currently dealing with Lionel Messi’s injury, with the team claiming he might play but never doing so. Messi was left off the starting lineup for a match against New York City FC, which had significant playoff implications for both clubs. Inter Miami has not disclosed the severity of the injury.
Messi, a 36-year-old superstar, has been ruled out of Inter Miami’s last three games, four of its last five games, and one for Argentina due to weariness. He only made a 37-minute cameo against Toronto on September 20 but had to leave before halftime due to a leg injury related to an old scar tissue issue. The team confirmed his absence 45 minutes before the game on Saturday.
Inter Miami is five points behind NYCFC and vying for one of the nine Eastern Conference places. With only four more MLS games left, Messi’s status remains a mystery, despite fans paying hundreds of dollars to see him on the field. The team is still in control of whether it makes the playoffs.
The uncertainty surrounding Messi’s status has caused outrage among fans on social media, who have responded to team messages expressing shame and a desire for clarification.
The team’s status is not the only topic of discussion, as Inter Miami has also sent notices to current season ticket holders about price increases for the upcoming campaign.
Season ticket prices for seats near midfield will be 98% higher than last year, with some fans expecting a more-than-100% increase. The section where Inter Miami’s most ardent supporters stand and wave banners will see an 82% increase, from $485 to $884.
The highest-priced season tickets for the upcoming season are over $40,000, not including suites, and are expected to be more than $100% higher than last year.
Messi’s two-and-a-half-year deal with Inter Miami will pay him an average of over $50 million per year, despite anticipated price increases. The team has already been reaping financial rewards, with Messi’s shirt being the most popular in the league this year.
Inter Miami spent money on signing Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, two key midseason additions who were injured. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami began in July, and his sales on the team’s website since then have been the highest since then.
Inter Miami has been led by Lionel Messi, who has scored 11 goals in 12 games this season. The team is 8-0-4 when Messi plays, with seven of those games occurring during the team’s quest to win the League Cup.
However, the team has gone 1-2-1 in its four games without Messi, with opponents winning by 12-10 while he is off the pitch and 29-12 when he is on the pitch.
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