Lionel Messi finally had an off night — by his standards — as Inter Miami CF was held to a 0-0 draw by Nashville SC at the DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Argentina star has played nine games for Miami since joining MLS in July and all nine have resulted in wins — six from the run of play and three via penalty shootout throughout the Leagues Cup, US Open Cup and MLS matches.
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But on Wednesday, Messi’s magical left boot failed to produce a decisive goal after finding the net 11 times in his first nine games, and Miami dropped the points in a long-cherished pursuit. to reach the MLS playoffs.
It was the first time Miami was held scoreless since Messi’s arrival.
Messi started Wednesday’s game alongside former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets after both came on in the 60th minute in Miami’s previous match against the New York Red Bulls.
Miami had no shots on goal in the first 60 minutes as the team struggled to penetrate Nashville’s 7th-ranked defense.
Messi attempted a free kick in the 60th minute after Nashville’s Dax McCarty was fouled, but the shot into the bottom-left corner was blocked by Elliot Panicco.
However, Inter Miami fans took out their phones to record the free kick, when the seven-time Ballon d’Or scored another goal similar to the first on his debut – when he scored the th -94 minutes to give Miami the win. against Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar then had a goal ruled out by an offside call in the 69th minute.
Messi got another chance in the 83rd minute, but the shot bounced off a wall of defenders.
The two teams met 10 days ago in the Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot on penalty kicks, and Miami won after an 11-round penalty kick shootout for its first trophy.
Messi and Inter Miami players posed with co-owner Jorge Mas on the field on Wednesday with the Leagues Cup trophy for the first time in front of their home fans.
The draw leaves Miami with 22 points with 10 games to play, 10 points behind the final playoff spot currently occupied by the Chicago Fire. Messi and company will travel to BMO Stadium this weekend for a match against defending MLS Cup champion LAFC on Sunday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.