Inter Miami pulls off miraculous 2-2 against Charlotte FC with Lionel Messi and David Beckham watching on in their final MLS home game of 2023


  • Tata Martino previously indicated it was unlikely Messi would play in the game
  • Messi is expected to play in Inter Miami´s colors next during the tour of China 
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Inter Miami pulled miraculously off a 2-2 draw to Charlotte FC as Lionel Messi sat out the final regular season game of the year.

Charlotte recoded the first goal of the match when striker Enzo Copetti was able to head a ball into the net on the 45 minute of the first half. 

It did not take Miami long to find an equalizer after Nicolas Stefanelli picked up a last second goal in the six minute of stoppage time to send the game into halftime tied up at 1-1.

Kerwin Vargas quickly put Charlotte back in the driver’s seat however after slotting a ball into the back of the net in the 52.

As hope appeared to be running out for Miami, Robbie Robinson got free only yards in front of the goalkeeper and was able to easily put home the equalizer as Charlotte’s defense was caught ball watching.

Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami’s last game of the season as they lost 2-1 to Charlotte FC

Enzo Copetti (9) and Kerwin Vargas scored the two goals for Charlotte FC in the draw

Enzo Copetti (9) and Kerwin Vargas scored the two goals for Charlotte FC in the draw

Nicolas Stefanelli (22) scored the lone goal for Miami in their season-ending contest

Nicolas Stefanelli (22) scored the lone goal for Miami in their season-ending contest

Miami manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino previously mentioned that Messi was unlikely to participate in the season ending contest, seeing as though Miami had nothing to play for after already being eliminated from making the playoffs.

Despite expressing his wish to play earlier in the week, Messi was still held out of the contest after he only recently returned from playing with Argentina in World Cup qualifiers.

Charlotte needing a win and favorable results elsewhere to snag the eighth or ninth seed in the East and a postseason place. 

Messi is expected to play in Inter Miami´s colors on Nov. 5 and Nov. 8, when the team plays two exhibition matches in China.

It´ll be the first time Inter Miami goes on a foreign tour. Argentina then has more World Cup qualifiers on Nov. 16 and Nov. 21 – after which Messi should get an extended break before Inter Miami begins preparing for 2024.

Messi has 11 goals in 13 matches with Inter Miami this season. The team has gone 8-1-4 when he plays; seven of those matches were on the team´s run to win its first-ever trophy by claiming the Leagues Cup championship.

He has also appeared in five MLS games and one U.S. Open Cup semifinal.

But a leg injury derailed his season, and essentially ended Inter Miami´s chances of making the postseason. Miami is now 1-3-3 in seven matches without Messi since he joined the club.



Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Milan make initial contact for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic

Milan are making serious moves to reshape their frontline, and the biggest name on the radar is none other than Dusan Vlahovic. According to a report by Calciomercato’s Daniele Longo, the Rossoneri have officially made initial contact regarding the Serbian striker’s future. The interest has moved beyond mere speculation, as Milan’s management has already held

German footballer dies aged 34, falls 70 metres to death in ski accident

German footballer Sebastian Hertner, who has formerly represented his country at the youth level, passed away at the age of 34 after a ski accident on Sunday. According to German media outlet Bild, Hertner was skiing at the Savn Kuk resort in northern Montenegro when he fell about 70 meters to his death. Hertner, a

Real Madrid | Christmas event at Bernabeu

Real Madrid is transforming its Santiago Bernabéu stadium into a festive theme park over the Christmas period. Between December 24 and 31, during LaLiga’s two-week break, the Spanish football team will convert its 84,000-seat home arena into a family-friendly event space, featuring lights, live music, and shows. The move will generate extra revenue from the

ESPN FC Women’s Rank: Top 50 soccer players of 2025

It’s that time of year again: Let’s look at the past 12 months in women’s soccer and pick the best of the best. It’s now our fifth year of polling experts and putting together a list of the top 50 players in the world for ESPN FC Women’s Rank, and it only gets more competitive

☕️🍞 14 years of Cholo at Atlético and 5️⃣ stories to start your day

Today is Christmas Eve, tomorrow is Christmas, and Spanish football takes a brief break to return with strength after the holidays.  These are the news stories that will be talked about the most today: 🤑 The details of the Endrick operation 📸 David Ramos – 2025 Getty Images Marco Ruiz (As, citing O Globo) details

Real Madrid legend Benzema responds to Endrick departure

1 Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema has taken to social media, to provide his response to news of Endrick’s upcoming departure from the club. The name of youngster Endrick has of course taken its place centre stage in the headlines across Spain on Tuesday evening. This comes after confirmation was forthcoming that the Brazilian is

How much will squad depth and injuries impact the Premier League title race?

It’s the Christmas present many people were after: a genuine title race. With just three points separating the top three, the busy festive period will be a crucial moment when it comes to the destination of this year’s title. Will Manchester City wrest their crown back? Will Arsenal land their first title since 2004? Or

The Alternative Premier League Table: No 18 – the Xmas xG check-in

Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where, each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens: this time, it’s a festive glance at xG (expected goals) for and against. As usual, the article that follows is long but detailed, so please settle down with a mince pie

Manchester United are hopeful Bruno Fernandes will return from injury for their clash against rivals Manchester City – Paper Talk | Football News

The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday’s newspapers… PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United are hopeful that Bruno Fernandes will return from injury before their clash with Manchester City on January 17, meaning the captain would miss only five matches – The Times. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ruben Amorim believes

💣Here we go: El Diablito Echeverri set to join Girona

The European transfer market has been shaken by breaking news involving one of the brightest promises in South American football. Claudio “El Diablito” Echeverri, the Argentine gem acquired by Manchester City, will not be heading to the Bundesliga as initially speculated. In a strategic turn, his loan to Girona in Spain has been confirmed. Although

Everything for sale, but LaLiga have no concept of value

Jon Driscoll can be found on social media here, and if you’re hungry for more, tune into his weekly La Liga podcast with Terry Gibson. You can also read more from Driscoll in his two books Get It Kicked and The Fifty. Given how Villarreal performed in their most previewed home game ever, there must

Serie A call off game in Australia after cancelled USA game

Just days after La Liga’s proposed clash for the ‘USA game’ in Miami, Villarreal-Barcelona, took place at La Ceramica, Serie A’s plans to host a game abroad have collapsed. A game between Como and AC Milan was due to take place in Perth, Australia. As happened with La Liga’s game abroad plans though, the plan

Milan talent Davide Bartesaghi attracting Premier League interest

Milan’s commitment to their youth project is being put to the test as interest grows in one of their brightest defensive prospects. According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, teenage left-back Davide Bartesaghi has caught the eye of several clubs in the Premier League. The English top flight is increasingly looking toward the San

How to bet on the Premier League’s festive schedule

Arsenal are at the top of the table heading into Christmas Day, but Manchester City aren’t far behind. Meanwhile, the relegation match is tight, too. Festive predictions Odds Arsenal to beat Aston Villa -210 Hugo Ekitike to score 2+ in Liverpool vs Wolves +350 West Ham to win or draw with Fulham -200 Everton to

Benzema’s goal propels Al-Ittihad to victory in Asian Champions League

Associated Press JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Karim Benzema’s second-half strike was enough to give Al-Ittihad a 1-0 win over Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan on Tuesday, placing the Saudi title holders within sight of the Asian Champions League Elite knockout round. The French striker volleyed home from close range at the far post after 57

Football gossip: Senesi, Diomande, Thiago, Gallagher, Baas

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid battle to sign Marcos Senesi, Manchester United track RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Liverpool monitor Igor Thiago. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are ready to battle it out for Bournemouth and Argentina defender, Marcos Senesi, 28, who has informed the Cherries he is leaving the club in 2026. (Teamtalk), external Manchester United

Liverpool considering move to sign 11-goal Premier League striker

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Brentford’s prolific forward Igor Thiago as a potential signing for the 2026 season. This follows a season marked by key injuries and departures, leaving Arne Slot with a depleted attacking line-up. With Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo currently sidelined, and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Slot’s options

Milan doubts over Nkunku role but January exit unlikely

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan inflates a balloon as he celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x