Inter Miami’s Unbeaten Streak Ends as Messi Watches From the Stands: A 4-3 Thriller Against FC Dallas

The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season has been a rollercoaster for Inter Miami, a club that has captured global attention since the arrival of Lionel Messi.
The Pink Cloud squad, as they are affectionately known, had built significant momentum in the opening rounds of the competition, thrilling fans with their attacking football and star-studded lineup.
But on a warm Florida evening in the 10th round of the tournament, their perfect run came to a dramatic end in a pulsating 4-3 defeat to FC Dallas—a match that will be remembered not only for its on-field drama, but for the emotional scenes in the stands, where Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children watched every moment unfold.

From the outset, anticipation was high at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Fans packed the stands, many hoping to see Lionel Messi weave his magic once more.
However, the team sheet revealed that Messi would not be taking to the field.
Instead, he was spotted in the stands, joined by Antonela and their children, as well as teammates Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, who were also not in the starting eleven.

Coach Javier Mascherano’s decision to rest Messi was a calculated one, with a crucial CONCACAF Champions League clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps looming just days ahead.
Mascherano, himself a former teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona and Argentina, understood the importance of keeping his superstar fresh for the continental campaign.
But as the match unfolded, it became clear that Inter Miami would miss the talismanic influence of their captain.

Despite the absence of Messi, Inter Miami started brightly.
They took an early lead, sending the home crowd into raptures and giving the impression that the team could maintain their unbeaten streak even without their biggest star.
Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, both experienced campaigners, could be seen on the sidelines, urging their teammates forward and offering encouragement in moments of pressure.

Meanwhile, Messi and Antonela watched intently, their expressions a mix of hope and anxiety.
The couple, often seen as the emotional heart of the team, provided a calming presence in the stands.
Their children, Thiago and Benjamin, were less concerned with the outcome, happily kicking a football around on the sidelines, blissfully unaware of the tension building on the pitch.

As the first half progressed, Inter Miami looked in control.
Their passing was sharp, their movement intelligent, and they appeared to have learned from previous matches how to manage games without Messi’s direct involvement.
But FC Dallas, a team known for their resilience and counter-attacking prowess, were not to be underestimated.

A swift counter-attack midway through the first half saw Dallas equalize, silencing the home crowd and shifting the momentum.
From that point on, the match became an end-to-end affair, with both sides creating chances and pushing for the advantage.
Inter Miami briefly regained the lead, only for Dallas to hit back with two quick goals, turning the game on its head.

In the stands, the tension was palpable.
Cameras frequently cut to Messi, whose body language spoke volumes.
He leaned forward in his seat, hands clasped, eyes fixed on the action below.
Antonela, ever supportive, offered quiet words of encouragement as the minutes ticked by.

By the time Dallas scored their fourth goal, Messi’s anxiety was visible for all to see.
He shook his head in disbelief, clearly frustrated by his team’s inability to close out the match.
It was a rare sight: the world’s greatest player, powerless to influence the outcome, forced to watch as his teammates struggled in his absence.

Despite a late rally and a third goal that gave the home fans hope, it was too little, too late.
The final whistle blew, confirming Inter Miami’s first loss of the season—a 4-3 defeat that left players and supporters alike in shock.

After the match, attention quickly turned to Messi and his family.
Photographers captured the moment as he stood up, applauding his teammates despite the disappointment.
Antonela and the children joined him, their faces reflecting a mix of pride and concern.

For coach Mascherano, the decision to rest Messi was vindicated by the need to prioritize the upcoming Champions League fixture.
In his post-match press conference, he explained, “We know how important every point is in the MLS, but we also have to think about the bigger picture.
Lionel has played a lot of minutes this season, and with the Champions League coming up, it was the right decision to give him a rest.
We trust in our squad, and tonight we fought hard, but sometimes football gives you these results.”

The defeat leaves Inter Miami in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, with 18 points from their first ten matches.
While the loss stings, there is no sense of panic within the squad or among the fans.
The consensus is that the team showed character and resilience, even in defeat, and that the return of Messi to the starting lineup will provide a significant boost in the weeks ahead.

For Messi himself, the experience of watching from the stands was a reminder of the unique pressures and emotions that come with being both a player and a leader.
He is used to carrying the hopes of his team on his shoulders, but on this occasion, he was forced to experience the agony of defeat as a spectator—a role that brought its own challenges.

Antonela, who has been by Messi’s side throughout his career, offered a poignant perspective in a brief post-match interview.
“It’s always hard to see him so anxious,” she said.
“But we know how much he cares about the team, and sometimes you have to make decisions for the long term.
We’re proud of the effort from everyone tonight.”

The presence of the Messi family in the stands was a reminder of the human side of football.
For all the glitz and glamour, the game is ultimately about people—about families, communities, and the shared experience of joy and heartbreak.
Thiago and Benjamin, playing on the sidelines, embodied the innocence and optimism that makes football so special.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami will regroup and refocus on their next challenge—a pivotal Champions League clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The squad is determined to bounce back, and with Messi expected to return to the starting eleven, confidence remains high.

For the fans, the defeat is a setback, but not a disaster.
The atmosphere at the DRV PNK Stadium throughout the match was electric, and the support for the team remains unwavering.
Many took to social media to express their pride in the players and their excitement for the matches to come.

One fan tweeted, “We win together, we lose together.
Proud of the fight tonight.
Can’t wait to see Messi back on the pitch!”

The story of Inter Miami’s 2025 season is far from over.
With Messi leading the way, and with the support of his family and teammates, there is every reason to believe that the Pink Cloud squad will continue to challenge for honors on all fronts.

As the players left the field and the stadium lights dimmed, Messi and Antonela gathered their children and made their way home.
For them, as for all football families, there will be other matches, other victories, and, inevitably, other defeats.
But the love of the game—and the bond between player, family, and fans—will endure.

In the end, the sight of Messi in the stands, sharing the highs and lows with Antonela and their children, was a powerful reminder of what makes football truly beautiful.