Inter Miami can’t catch a break! Tata Martino’s side bottled the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Monterrey, losing 1-2. However, amidst the setback endured by the Herons, their star player, Lionel Messi, who was absent due to injury, found himself on the receiving end of taunts from the opposition crowd. With the Argentine watching from the sidelines, he became the subject of ridicule from the away fans, who chanted, “Messi was afraid.”

Miami-based journalist Andrea Yanez even shared a small clip showcasing the exact moment that the broadcast networks didn’t capture. All the Monterrey fans wearing white and blue-striped jerseys, waiving the team’s flag, were clapping and chanting. The chant was initiated after the Liga MX side successfully managed to make a comeback. Meanwhile, the rest of Chase Stadium, filled with thousands of Miami faithful, had no choice but to bear the insult. 

Notably, Inter Miami faced a series of setbacks when Robert Taylor left the field in tears in the 37th minute and David Ruiz received a red card before Monterrey staged a comeback. Despite initially leading the game with Tomas Aviles’ 11th-minute goal from a corner taken by Julian Gressel, the Mexican club’s Maximiliano Meza and Jorge Rodriguez orchestrated a brilliant comeback. Nevertheless, as if the loss wasn’t enough, Monterrey fans have definitely sprinkled salt on the wounds of the Miami faithful.

However, it might backfire on them, considering that Lionel Messi might make a return in the second leg. Speaking of which, what is the update on his ongoing injury? 

Lionel Messi can return for the second leg to face Monterrey 

After the game, journalist Omar Zeron reported that the Argentinian superstar is set to return to the field this weekend as Inter Miami hosts Colorado on Saturday night. However, he will only be able to play as a substitute and not at full capacity. Furthermore, it is reported that the captain is expected to start in the second-leg match against Monterrey next Wednesday, raising hopes for his team’s comeback.

Notably, Messi has been absent from action for over two weeks now, with his last appearance coming against Nashville in the RO16 Leg 2. Interestingly, before the match, reports suggested that the Miami health department was still not convinced to let Messi play in the opening leg. This forced Tata Martino to make the call to rest the 36-year-old. Now that he might be able to make a return, let’s hope that he can lead Miami to a comeback and silence the opposition fans.

READ MORE: “Have Shame” – 10-Man Inter Miami Suffers Disappointing Home Loss to Monterrey as Lionel Messi Watches From Sidelines, Fans React