Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi‘s scoring streak came to an end earlier today, July 17, as Inter Miami were thrashed 3-0 by FC Cincinnati.
Messi had been in electrifying form, netting multiple goals in five consecutive games, a feat unmatched in Major League Soccer history.
But in Ohio, Messi and his Miami teammates were outplayed and outpaced by Cincinnati, which allowed them just two shots on target all evening.
“Today we were outplayed from the beginning of the match,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano.
“It was very difficult for us to win the individual duels. Maybe one of the reasons is that physically we come with a very big hustle and bustle and in the long run we end up paying. Leo suffered a knock at the end but it ended well.”
Messi, 38, came into the game with 16 goals for the season, scoring a brace in each of his last five matches, something he hadn’t done since his Barcelona days in 2012. But Cincinnati’s compact defence and relentless pressing left the World Cup winner isolated and frustrated.
Gerardo Valenzuela, a rising 20-year-old American midfielder, opened the scoring for Cincinnati in the 16th minute, capping off a swift attacking move. Brazilian forward Evander added a second five minutes after the break, before sealing his brace and the result in the 70th minute.
After the defeat, coach Mascherano said, “We didn’t play the game we wanted. They put us under pressure all the time, we weren’t fresh or lucid and they beat us very well. The result and the way they beat us worry us. Now we have to rest and think about the next game.”
Despite the defeat, Inter Miami remain fifth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points (11 wins, 4 losses, 5 draws), trailing leaders Philadelphia by eight points.
Miami still holds three games in hand over both Philadelphia and Cincinnati, a potential lifeline in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.
Their next test comes this Saturday against the New York Red Bulls, fresh off a 5-3 win over New England, inspired by braces from Cameroon’s Eric Choupo-Moting and Sweden’s Emil Forsberg.
Rodrigo De Paul Set To Reunite With Messi In Miami
Argentine international and World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul is on the brink of joining Inter Miami. A source close to the negotiations confirmed to AFP that the MLS side have agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the 31-year-old midfielder.
The deal, set to span four seasons, includes an initial loan for the remainder of 2025 and a purchase option worth over $12 million.
De Paul is expected to make his debut for the Herons on July 30 in the Leagues Cup clash against Mexican outfit Atlas. The midfielder will link up with his Argentina teammate Messi.
His arrival adds to a growing list of stars at Inter Miami, including Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
The post Lionel Messi’s Scoring Streak Ends As Inter Miami Lose To Cincinnati, DePaul Set To Join MLS Side appeared first on Naija News.