Messi's Minnesota Debut: Inter Miami's Crushing Defeat and Uncertain Future

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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a significant defeat this weekend, with Minnesota United FC delivering a stunning 4-1 victory on Saturday at a packed Allianz Field. The match was highly anticipated as Messi's first-ever appearance in Minnesota, drawing a near-record crowd of 19,710 enthusiastic fans who had been waiting for this moment since the 2025 MLS schedule was announced.

Despite the lopsided loss, Messi did give fans what they came for by scoring Miami's lone goal during the match. Fox Sports captured and highlighted this moment, though it wasn't enough to overcome Minnesota's dominant performance. The home team's goals came from Hassani Dotson, Anthony Markanich, Robin Lod, plus an own goal from Miami.

This defeat continues a troubling trend for Inter Miami, who have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions. The slump has raised questions about head coach Javier Mascherano, Messi's former Barcelona and Argentina teammate. According to Goal.com, David Beckham and the Inter Miami management are actively seeking reinforcements to strengthen the squad around Messi.

Adding to potential concerns for Miami fans, recent reports suggest uncertainty about Messi's future with the club. Jose Armando from Claro Sports reportedly indicated that Messi's chances of staying with Inter Miami beyond this year are currently "50%," though details remain limited.

The Minnesota match drew notable attendees including Minnesota Vikings stars Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones, plus the Wild's Kirill Kaprizov. Social media captured Messi showing visible frustration during the match, with his official Instagram account (which boasts over 505 million followers) remaining active but not yet addressing the recent loss.

This defeat drops Inter Miami further in the standings after what had been a promising start to the 2025 campaign, which included reaching the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. For Minnesota United, meanwhile, the victory pushes them into second place in the MLS Western Conference, marking what their coach Eric Ramsay called "a very special day for the club."

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