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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Knock picked up on Argentina duty</li><li>Missed four games in a row</li><li>Post-season hopes fading</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘It’s a shame’ - Lionel Messi injury frustration revealed by Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami sweat on MLS play-off spot

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

DC United

Chicago Fire FC

Columbus Crew

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has played just 37 minutes for the Florida-based franchise since returning from 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina nursing an untimely knock. He has sat out four successive fixtures – including a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/lionel-messi-inter-miami-xherdan-shaqiri-chicago-fire/blt46266c071cb92d28" target="_blank">painful 4-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire</a> last time out.

WHAT HAPPENED?

That result may have ended Inter Miami’s hopes of reaching the post-season, with even Messi’s special brand of magic unlikely to be enough to get them over that line. Busquets has shared his thoughts on seeing a talismanic presence ruled out of Tata Martino’s plans: “The first person who wants Leo to be on the field is Leo. Second is us, his teammates, because we know how important he is for us. It’s a shame, but in the world of football you can’t control injuries.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fans in Chicago were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/everywhere-else-rival-fans-relieved-lionel-messi-absence-inter-miami-defeat-chicago-fire-explained-tata-martino/bltefa8c86e9050de9a" target="_blank">disappointed not to catch a glimpse of Messi in action</a> on Wednesday, but Fire boss Frank Klopas believes his team put on a performance to send supporters home happy. He told reporters after a convincing victory at Soldier Field: “We talked about moments like this, opportunities, you have to grab them, and we did. It was sold out months ago. A lot of fans came for the first time to see Lionel Messi. Who doesn’t want to see him? Wherever Messi goes, it’s amazing what he’s done for the league. But the fans saw a great performance from our team. I guarantee a lot of people will go back home and say, ‘Wow that was entertaining.’ It’s about putting a show on the field. And we did that. Hopefully, they’ll come back next year, and not just for the Inter Miami game.”

WHAT THEY SAID

The Chicago Fire are close to confirming their involvement in the 2023 MLS play-offs, but Inter Miami have a five-point gap to try and bridge through just three games – with there <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/will-lionel-messi-play-again-this-season-inter-miami-tata-martino-injury-update-mls-play-offs/blt6fa6902208c20735" target="_blank">no guarantee that Messi will be back</a> in time to aid that quest.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

‘It’s a shame’ - Lionel Messi injury frustration revealed by Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami sweat on MLS play-off spot | Goal.com Cameroon

Lionel Messi is as frustrated as anybody at having to sit out crucial fixtures in Inter Miami’s bid to reach the MLS play-offs, says Sergio Busquets.

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