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Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all-time, has sent out a message of staying “united” to his Inter Miami amid the crisis at the club in the recent weeks and months. After suffering their fifth defeat in seven matches in all competitions, losing at home to Orlando City 3-0 in the Major League Soccer (MLS), the Argentine footballer said that they need to be more united than ever in the difficult times, which will help them get out of it sooner rather than later.
Notably, in their latest MLS contest, at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami were no match to the impressive play from their near neighbours Orlando City. Luis Muriel gave the lead to the visitors in the 43th minute before Marco Pasalic made it 2-0 at the start of the second half, and ultimately, the stoppage time goal from Dagur Dan Thorhallsson made it 3-0 scoreline on the night.
We'll truly see if we're a team in difficult times, because when everything's going well it's very easy: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi had a day to forget versus Orlando City, getting only two shots on target apart from making a meal of a free-kick. In the post-match, the 38-year-old was categoric in his assessment about the recent slump of Inter Miami, and said, as per BBC Sport, “Now we'll truly see if we're a team in difficult times, because when everything's going well it's very easy. When difficult times come, that's when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and pull ourselves together.”
With their third loss in the last five MLS matches, Inter Miami have dropped down to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 22 points in 14 matches. The difficulty for Inter Miami at the back is stark as they have conceded 20 goals in the last seven matches, which includes just one win over New York Red Bulls in the MLS earlier this month.
It will be important for Inter Miami to turn their form around, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 coming to the United States, and they are set to play in it.
