CNN —Inter Miami suffered a chastening Major League Soccer defeat by Chicago Fire on Wednesday – losing 4-1 – with talisman Lionel Messi missing through injury yet again.
Messi has now missed the last four matches and his team has struggled to fill the gap left by the 36-year-old forward.
Late last month, Miami manager Gerardo Martino said Messi was dealing with an old scar tissue problem.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesWith doubts around whether Messi would play the match at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the hosts offered fans a financial incentive to attend.
“I understand the expectation in Chicago, like there’s been in other places, but when a player isn’t in condition to play, he can’t play.
Persons:
Lionel Messi, Messi, Gerardo Martino, Xherdan, Maren Haile, Selassie, Josef Martínez, Martino, ”, Michael Reaves, there’s, “, wasn’t
Organizations:
CNN — Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Chicago Fire, –, English Premier League, Chicago, Miami, Eastern Conference, MLS, ” Inter Miami, Chicago’s, Inter, FC Cincinnati
Locations:
Miami, Chicago, United States