Inter Miami has been battling with setbacks and injuries in recent times. They received a heavy blow when their star signings Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba suffered injuries and were unable to play in important matches. The hopes for the team’s playoffs are dwindling as the injury updates bring more disappointing news.

The troubles began when Messi and Alba had to be substituted in the first half of a match against Toronto due to injuries. Since then, they have been on the sidelines, unable to contribute to the team’s performance. This absence was especially felt in the crucial US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo, which Inter Miami lost.

Will we see Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi in the next match?

Now, with the MLS season about to conclude, the team’s chances of qualification are hanging by a thread. Inter Miami assistant coach, Javi Morales, recently provided an update on Messi’s injury. He stated, “Leo will train today, day-to-day decision”. But his participation in the upcoming game against New York City is still uncertain. The fact that Messi is back in training is a glimmer of hope though.

Unfortunately, the news regarding Jordi Alba’s injury is not as promising. Morales revealed, “Jordi has a hamstring injury, will not play tomorrow, longer recovery”. This means that he will not be able to participate in the game against New York City, further diminishing Inter Miami’s chances of securing a playoff spot.

The timing of these injuries could not be worse for Inter Miami. With only five matches left in the MLS season and the team currently sitting in the 14th position, they have a lot of ground to cover in order to secure a playoff berth. Climbing five ranks in such a short period of time is a daunting task, especially without the contributions of star players like Messi and Alba. Their chances of making the playoffs seem tenuous, but on the other side, their popularity only appears to be rising.

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Inter Miami is among the most popular soccer clubs

According to a recent report by Deportes & Finazas, Messi’s Inter Miami has seen a surge in popularity and appeal, ranking 5th globally. The report, which analyzes Instagram interactions from August 2023, places Inter Miami with an impressive 130 million interactions. Real Madrid leads the pack with 190 million interactions, but Inter Miami remains hot on their heels.

Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr also makes an appearance on the list, sitting in 3rd place with a social interaction of 157 million. But with this worldwide popularity aised, Inter Miami will surely be hoping for a speedy recovery for their injured stars as they cling to their playoff hopes.

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