Awaiting US Green Card, Lionel Messi’s Teammate Stranded in Brazil as Inter Miami Drew El Salvador in 1st Friendly

Inter Miami is not having the best of times. Star signing Luis Suarez debuted for the Herons alongside Lionel Messi, only to misfire against El Salvador in an underwhelming draw. Adding salt to the Herons’ wounds, the team will continue to miss the services of trusted midfielder Jean Mota. Mota left the Miami camp for Brazil before the El Salvador fixture, to clear paperwork for his US Green card. Now, he is still waiting to get it and comfortably move to Fort Lauderdale, despite joining Inter Miami two years prior. In short, the 30-year-old is stuck in his homeland, holding onto his Brazilian passport. Mota missed the El Salvador friendly because of the paperwork!

Had he lined up for Lionel Messi and Co. he could have galvanized the misfiring front line. But while his teammates were getting ready for the match, he took to his social media and posted a picture of him holding his passport. That was perhaps a subtle way of asking how long should he wait to get his hands on the US Green card.

Playing in the midfield, Jean Mota has time and again been useful to the Herons’ front line. He has even made some crucial contributions that saved David Beckham‘s side in knockout fixtures!

Today, Inter Miami badly needed such a clutch goal. Anyhow, the El Salvador game was just the beginning. The Herons await a long list of fixtures in this pre-season alone. They will now travel to Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Given how the El Salvador match has panned out, Inter Miami has got some actual work to do.

Lionel Messi and Co. better be prepared amid uncertainty about Mota’s return

Inter Miami next plays FC Dallas in the latter’s home. Shortly after this friendly, they head to Saudi Arabia, not for friendlies, but for the competitive Riyadh Season Cup. Since Lionel Messi and Co. will strive to go the extra mile against Al Hilal and Al Nassr, after today’s draw. Furthermore, Miami players were subjected to El Salvador’s abrasive tackles and challenges. The team might miss the services of key players owing to an injury or fatigue. Let’s not ignore that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba were subbed off at halftime during the El Salvador game.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Declines to Play Friendly Against FC Barcelona: Reports

While everyone knows about Jean Mota being stranded in Brazil, it is unsure if he will return by the Dallas game. Even if he were to return, his green card approval might take time. Considering all these roadblocks, Inter Miami has not welcomed 2024 the way it would have wanted. However, there’s ample time to up the ante, provided injuries don’t come their way.

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