Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have reached the US Open Cup final after a thrilling 3-3 draw, where the team coached by Tata Martino came from behind to beat FC Cincinnati on penalties.
The MLS side will face Houston Dynamo in the final in their bid to secure the second title in their history.
Messi lifts the Leagues Cup champion’s trophy
This marks a second final for Messi since his arrival, after leading Inter Miami all the way to Leagues Cup glory. Meanwhile, his team sit bottom in the MLS table.
In his eighth game in 33 days, Messi orchestrated a 5-4 penalty shootout win (3-3 in regular time) over FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-final.
With the exception of his first game against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, when he entered the game as a substitute, the Argentine star has played the full 90 minutes in all the other games.
You can now watch Messi in MLS with Apple
Tata Martino is worried about Messi
Messi has a lot of responsibility and pressure on his shoulders, from the entire team and all those who trust him to make Inter Miami a great franchise.
His coach is beginning to worry about the former Barcelona captain’s fitness after playing several games in a row.
“Both Messi and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from today we will evaluate how we approach the next three games,” said Martino.
“At some point, Messi should stop to recover because playing every three or four days is a lot.
“But, as long as he doesn’t tell me anything, he will stay on the pitch. You know how he is and how he likes to play.”
The 36-year-old Argentine’s chance to rest could come on Saturday, when they take on the New York Red Bulls in their return to the MLS regular season.
Inter Miami sit bottom of the table and they need Messi‘s help to bounce back and potentially clinch a playoff spot.
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