Lionel Messi misses another MLS match, fans slam Inter Miami for 'making a fool of them'

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Lionel Messi at Inter Miami: As it stands, discussions around Inter Miami's charismatic player, Lionel Messi, have continued to revolve around his reiterated absence from the pitch due to a leg injury. The Major League Soccer (MLS) team has made it a habit of announcing potential appearances of Messi just to have him not turn up for the matches.

The same narrative played out again on Saturday (September 30), when Messi was withdrawn from the lineup facing off against New York City FC, a match with high stakes bearing an influence on the MLS playoffs status of both teams.

The Strain of Messi's Continued Absence

The severity of Messi's leg injury remains undisclosed, contributing to the rising anxiety among fans who have had to put up with his absence from four out of five recent games for Inter Miami, and another with Argentina.

The only show with the superstar able to mesmerize fans, albeit momentarily, was during a match against Toronto on September 20th that lasted a mere 37 minutes before he left due to an apparent hamstring issue.

Messi's Injury Ignites Fans' Fury

Inter Miami fans have been voicing their disapproval and frustration via comments on the team's social media posts over the unclear status of Messi. Many have expressed feelings of being fooled by the team, requesting clearer communication about Messi's situation. A post previewing a midday match against NYCFC drew sharp criticism handing team management a public relations crisis to handle.

Inter Miami's Recent Announcements Stir the Air

Apart from Messi's predicament, other aspects of the team have also been grabbing attention. Inter Miami recently announced a drastic increase in season-ticket prices for the upcoming season. Some sections are set to see almost a 100% rise in prices.

Along with this, the sales of Messi's jersey have skyrocketed, ranking first among the league's top-sellers. These revelations depict how Inter Miami is leveraging Messi's influence to dramatically bolster its revenue streams.

Despite Challenges, Messi Impresses When on the Field

While Messi's injury status remains a concern, it's worth noting his exceptional performance when he has managed to grace the pitch. Since his joining, the team has had an astounding run of 29-12 goals against their opponents when Messi has been on the field. These statistics reinforce the Argentine's importance and his invaluable contribution to the team's success.

As the plot thickens around Messi's repeated absences from Inter Miami's matches and his undisclosed injury status, the club continues to capitalize on his popularity. As such, despite the resentments and the criticisms, Lionel Messi's draw continues to be a robust revenue stream for the club even as his fans eagerly look forward to his return to the field.