Lewis Morgan secured a hat-trick against his former team, while Wikelman Carmona also found the back of the net as the New York Red Bulls handed the Herons their inaugural defeat of the current MLS season last Saturday. Manager Martino, despite missing the services of Lionel Messi due to injury, declined to attribute his star player’s absence as a reason for the defeat, instead criticizing other players in the squad.

Addressing reporters post-game, the former Barcelona coach remarked, “There is not much to say, except that we were outmatched from start to finish. When a team enters a game without the desire to win, without spirit, without competing, and the other side just wants to win the game, they are going to win it. The absence of the best player in the world is important for everyone – but last week with D.C. Leo didn’t play either.”

Messi was forced off during the club’s CONCACAF Champions Cup encounter against Nashville earlier this month and has since been sidelined. The Argentine superstar missed the club’s MLS encounter against DC United and was subsequently omitted from the Argentina squad for their international friendlies.

Martino’s team is scheduled to return to action on March 30 against New York City FC in an MLS showdown. Messi is anticipated to make his comeback before their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Monterrey on April 4.

Lionel Messi

This season he played in total 3 times for 270 minutes for Major League Soccer.

Lionel Messi scored 3 goals for Inter Miami. He procured one assist. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 2nd in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami lost 4-0 against New York RB.

Inter Miami performance and stats

Inter Miami is currently 2nd in the Major League Soccer with 10 points.

In the last 6 games, it has won 3 times, drawn once, and lost twice. In its last match, Inter Miami lost 4-0 against New York RB.​​

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 13 goals and conceding 9.​