No U.S. Open Cup For Lionel Messi As MLS Withdraws Inter Miami’s First Team

Disappointment for Lionel Messi‘s fans. According to reports, Messi will not participate in the 2024 US Open Cup tournament. The oldest tournament in the US will not have any of the MLS’ first teams participating. The MLS decided on Friday after taking a dig at US Soccer earlier this May. There were quite a few reasons for the lack of interest from the league, including tightness in the fixtures.

But more than anything, the US top tier is not happy with the standards of the tournament, according to reports.

Lionel Messi to miss the US Open Cup, a tournament which was previously deemed as a ‘poor reflection’

Inter Miami was successful in reaching the last edition’s finals before David Beckham‘s team lost the finals to the Houston Dynamo. Messi could only appear in the semifinals before missing the showdown due to his resurfacing scar tissue injury. But next year will be completely different. The MLS, not being content, will be sending the teams from the MLS Next, which will surely not include Lionel Messi and his first team pals, according to ESPN.

The tournament has approximately 100 participants, including teams across professional leagues in the country. But the MLS, being the topmost league, feels that the US Open Cup does not reflect what the league is aiming to do. MLS commissioner Don Garber said in May that it is “a very poor reflection on what it is that we’re trying to do with soccer at the highest level.”

The tournament was also criticized for not having proper pitches to play on, along with its poor fan appeal. He further hinted, “If we can’t do that, then we all should be together and decide that there needs to be a new plan”. Despite their exclusion from the US Open Cup, Lionel Messi will have an exciting schedule for 2024. Let’s dive deeper.

Preseason in Saudi Arabia, Arch-rival clash – What’s next for Messi fans?

Inter Miami has announced it will play friendlies against Al Hilal and Al Nassr in a pre-season tour to Saudi Arabia. The club will also head to Japan and play Andres Iniesta’s former club and J1 League champion, Vissel Kobe.

READ MORE – “It’s Nonsense” – FIFA ‘The Best’ Award Ridiculed For Lionel Messi’s Nomination as Finalist

Although the fans are waiting for the hugely anticipated Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo battle, the other matches will also prove to be substantial leading into the main season. Additionally, Messi will also have the all-important Copa America 2024 on his to-do list. Overall, to Messi’s fans’ excitement, they will have a lot of action from the star in 2024 and will not be disappointed with the snubbed US Open Cup.

How much silverware do you think Lionel Messi will win in this next season? Let us know in the comments below.

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