The captain of Inter Miami, who flew on Tuesday night from Argentina, He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half, when his team was winning 1-0 and had a chance of qualifying.
With a double from the Colombian Daniel ArcilaLeón came back to achieve a victory that made him the first to qualify for the quarterfinals of this joint tournament between the MLS and the Mexican league.
With nine points, the “Fiera” took the lead of the group of the Liga MX and secured one of the four places in the sector for the playoffs.
Subsequently, Toluca followed in their footsteps with a 3-1 victory in their stadium against the FC Dallasone of those eliminated from Wednesday.
Inter Miami, which was forced to win and wait for other results, was left with three points and no chance of getting among the four best in the MLS bracket, which this Wednesday registered its first two finishes, Columbus Crew and Royal Salt Lake.
In addition to Messi, the tournament lost another of its great figures, the Frenchman Antoine Griezmannwith the elimination of Orlando City after a 2-2 draw against Atlético San Luis.
In the case of the “Herons”, it is the first time that they have been eliminated in the first phase since the expansion of this tournament in 2023.
That year, they won the title with the help of Messi, who had just landed in the Florida franchise, and in 2025 they lost in the final against Seattle Sounders.
This season, Inter Miami has already missed two trophies, after being eliminated at the beginning of the year in the Concacaf Champions Cupand now he will focus on revalidating the MLS title.
“It hurts us to be out of this competition because it is beautiful and there are many boys who won or lost the final,” lamented his coach. Guillermo Hoyos.
“He is an example for everyone”
With few options to advance to the quarterfinals, the public of the Nu Stadium He focused on Wednesday on supporting Messi in this difficult period for the captain.
A few hours before, the Argentine star published an emotional farewell letter to Jorge Messihis father and representative, in which he stated that he had “quite a few doubts” that he would continue playing football “for much longer.”
La “Pulga”, however, wasted no time in making itself available to Hoyos to try to get back on track after Saturday’s defeat against Monterrey.
“It’s incredible what he did to be with us today,” the Brazilian midfielder acknowledged. Casemirolast to arrive at the club co-owned by David Beckham.
“He is an example for all of us because he is surely going through a very bad time, but he has an incredible commitment to the players and the club. I had never seen him in my life and we have to thank him,” said the former player of real Madrid and Manchester United.
The night started badly for the locals when the young American Daniel Pinter opened the scoring in the 42nd minute.
Hoyos brought Messi on after the break to extend the lead, but it was León, who until then had dedicated himself to defending, who equalized with Arcila’s first goal in a devastating counterattack in the 50th minute.
The Italian Yannick Bright put Inter ahead again in the 54th minute,’ but the Mexican Juan Pablo Dominguez (61′) and again Arcila (83′) completed the Mexican somersault.
León and Toluca, first classified
Wednesday’s day, penultimate of the group stage, registered the first classified for the direct elimination rounds that will culminate with the final on September 6.
León, with its victory against Miami, has a guaranteed ticket with nine points and will be accompanied by Toluca, with six.
The “Red Devils”, directed by the Argentine Antonio Mohamedbeat FC Dallas 3-1 with goals from Alexis Vegafrom a penalty, the Uruguayan Federico Viñas and Erick Gutiérrez.
Also with six units there are America and Blue Cross, who have a game to play, as well as Monterey and Juarezwho have already played their three games and have a chance to advance.
The Rayados de Monterrey They beat this Wednesday 2-1 nashville with a comeback culminated with goals from Orbelin Pineda in the 52nd minute and from the Belgian Hugo Cuypers in 90+2′.
Columbus Crew and Royal Salt Lakeleaders of the MLS group with eight and seven points, assured their presence in the quarterfinals thanks to Wednesday’s results.
Los Angeles FC occupies third place, also with seven points, after its 1-1 draw on Wednesday against Queretarowhich they beat 5-3 on penalties.
The South Korean team Son Heung-min can be overtaken on Thursday by other teams such as austin and the Chicago Fire of Robert Lewandowskiwhich have six points.
