Although there is no compelling reason for the Argentine to play on Saturday, the fact that he is willing to do so says a lot.
The season finale between Inter Miami and Charlotte FC on Saturday just doesn’t have a strong cause for Lionel Messi to be there. It’s one of the few games in the forward’s career that, at least to his team, will have no real significance. Regardless of the outcome, Inter Miami will not advance. Win, lose, or tie—their season ends on Saturday.
Despite this, Messi appears to believe he has a valid cause for participating on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium. While representing Argentina internationally, he said as much. Even if his team cannot alter their fate, he remarked, he still plans to play.
Whatever you want to call it—pride, rivalry, a feeling of responsibility, etc.—Messi choosing to at least be present reveals something about him. The simple course of action would be to sit this one out, spend some time with family, and possibly undergo rehabilitation before returning to duty in Argentina later this month.
But Messi doesn’t see it that way, and Charlotte FC and Inter Miami will take note of that.
THE SITUATION
The problem is straightforward for Miami: no outcome will be satisfactory. Their dreams of a miraculous run were dashed when they lost to the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati earlier this month.
There was a moment when it appeared Miami could have a chance. Messi was spearheading the charge as they raced through MLS. However, Miami were doomed after Messi had an injury that prevented him from playing in several crucial games as the team struggled to function without their star.
They will therefore watch the playoffs at home. However, Charlotte FC still has a lot to play for.
Charlotte FC needs to win on Saturday and hope for support from other sources in order to have a chance. In order for them to secure a postseason position, one of CF Montreal, the New York Red Bulls, or the Chicago Fire will have to falter. That’s as a result of the second-year team’s failure to upset Miami on Wednesday night, which resulted in them settling for just one point and forcing everything to Decision Day.
Naturally, Charlotte will feel conflicted about Messi possibly participating. The stadium will undoubtedly be packed, but if they have to face the great Argentine, their prospects of entering the postseason would be drastically reduced.
