Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer was supposed to be transformative, not just for Inter Miami but for the league as a whole.

Yet, as the Argentine superstar trudged off the pitch in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a demoralizing 4-1 defeat to Minnesota United, the sense of optimism that once surrounded his American adventure seemed to be slipping away.

For the first time since his move to MLS, Messi’s frustration was visible—not just to his teammates, but to the thousands of traveling fans who came to watch him work his magic.

The match itself began with a glimmer of hope for Miami, who have been desperate for a positive result after a string of poor performances.

With Luis Suarez missing the trip due to personal reasons, the attacking burden fell squarely on Messi’s shoulders.

The Argentine, ever the consummate professional, did not disappoint in the early stages of the second half.

Just three minutes after the restart, Jordi Alba—his former Barcelona teammate—picked him out with a sharp, low cross into the box.

Messi, with the kind of composure that has defined his career, calmly redirected the ball past the Minnesota goalkeeper, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and briefly reigniting Miami’s hopes.

But those hopes were short-lived.

Minnesota United responded almost immediately with a clinical counterattack that exposed the frailties in Miami’s defense.

Within moments, the two-goal cushion was restored, and any momentum Miami had managed to build was snuffed out.

By the final whistle, the scoreline read 4-1—a result that not only highlighted Miami’s defensive vulnerabilities but also underscored the growing sense of unease within the squad.

For Messi, the defeat was especially hard to swallow.

The Argentine is no stranger to adversity—he has endured his share of setbacks at both club and international level.

But the manner of Miami’s collapse, and the team’s inability to respond to adversity, appeared to weigh heavily on him.

As the referee blew the final whistle, Messi’s body language spoke volumes.

He offered no reaction to the applause from the traveling supporters, many of whom had made the journey from Miami or other parts of the United States just to see him play.

Instead, he walked straight off the pitch, head down, ignoring the fans who chanted his name in hopes of a wave or a smile.

It was a stark contrast to the scenes that have become familiar since Messi’s arrival in North America.

In previous matches, regardless of the result, Messi has always taken a moment to acknowledge the fans—signing autographs, posing for photos, or simply waving as he heads down the tunnel.

This time, however, there was only silence and a hurried exit.

For many supporters, the message was clear: Messi’s patience is wearing thin.

The statistics paint a grim picture for Inter Miami.

The loss to Minnesota United marked their fourth defeat in five matches across all competitions.

Even more concerning is the defensive record—14 goals conceded in that stretch, an average of nearly three per game.

Such numbers would be alarming for any team, but for a club that boasts one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, they are nothing short of disastrous.

Much of the blame has fallen on the team’s defensive unit, which has looked increasingly disorganized and vulnerable.

Time and again, opposing teams have exploited gaps in Miami’s back line, capitalizing on individual errors and a lack of cohesion.

Manager Javier Mascherano, himself a former defensive stalwart for both Barcelona and Argentina, has struggled to find solutions.

His tactical adjustments—switching formations, rotating personnel, and experimenting with different defensive partnerships—have yielded little improvement.

Behind the scenes, tensions have reportedly begun to simmer between Messi and Mascherano.

The two men share a long history, having played together for both club and country, but sources close to the team suggest that Messi has grown frustrated with the tactical approach and lack of defensive discipline.

During the match against Minnesota, cameras caught several animated exchanges between the two on the touchline, with Messi appearing to question some of Mascherano’s decisions.

The absence of Luis Suarez has only compounded Miami’s problems.

The Uruguayan striker, who formed a formidable partnership with Messi at Barcelona, was expected to provide both goals and leadership.

His absence due to personal reasons left a void that Miami was unable to fill.

Without Suarez’s movement and finishing ability, opposing defenses have been able to focus their attention on Messi, making it even more difficult for the Argentine to influence the game.

Despite these challenges, the traveling Miami fans remained steadfast in their support.

Throughout the match, their chants of “Messi! Messi!” echoed around the stadium, a testament to the loyalty and passion that the World Cup winner inspires.

Many had traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles for the chance to see him play.

For them, the defeat was disappointing, but the sight of Messi walking off the pitch without so much as a glance in their direction was even more painful.

In the post-match press conference, Mascherano was asked about Messi’s reaction and the growing frustration within the squad.

The manager attempted to downplay the incident, insisting that the team remained united and focused on turning things around.

“We’re all frustrated with the result,” Mascherano said.

“No one likes to lose, especially not someone like Leo.

But we’re working hard to fix the problems and we believe we can get back on track.”

Yet, for many observers, the cracks are beginning to show.

The honeymoon period following Messi’s arrival is over, and the harsh realities of MLS are setting in.

The league is notoriously physical and unpredictable, with travel demands and playing conditions that are unlike anything Messi experienced in Europe.

Adapting to these challenges has proven difficult, not just for Messi but for the entire Miami squad.

The media reaction was swift and unforgiving.

Headlines in both the United States and Argentina focused on Messi’s visible frustration and the growing sense of crisis at Inter Miami.

Pundits questioned whether the team was overly reliant on Messi, and whether the supporting cast was capable of rising to the occasion.

Former players and analysts debated the merits of Mascherano’s tactics, with some calling for a more pragmatic approach to stem the flow of goals.

For Messi himself, the coming weeks will be crucial.

The Argentine has never been one to shy away from adversity, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to inspire those around him.

But at 36, and with the physical demands of MLS taking their toll, he will need help if Miami is to turn their season around.

The return of Suarez will be critical, as will improvements in defense and midfield.

Above all, the team must rediscover the sense of unity and purpose that characterized their early performances under Messi’s leadership.

For the fans, the hope is that this latest setback will serve as a wake-up call.

The sight of Messi walking off the pitch, ignoring the supporters who adore him, was a sobering reminder that even the greatest players have their limits.

If Inter Miami is to realize its ambitions—both on and off the field—it will require a collective effort, from the manager and players to the fans and club officials.

In the end, Messi’s frustration is understandable.

He came to Miami not just to play football, but to build something lasting—a legacy that would endure long after he hangs up his boots.

For now, that dream remains within reach, but only if the team can overcome its current struggles and recapture the spirit that made Messi’s arrival such a momentous occasion.

As the team prepares for its next fixture, all eyes will be on Messi.

Will he bounce back with the kind of performance that has defined his career? Will the team rally around their captain and rise to the challenge? Or will the frustration that boiled over in Minnesota prove to be a sign of deeper problems to come? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching.