The team announced that Messi would not play about 45 minutes before Saturday's game time. Without Messi, Miami still had some magic - Tomás Avilés scored off a header in stoppage time to salvage what became a 1-1 tie. NYCFC had the lead on a goal by Santiago Rodriguez in the 77th minute.

Lionel Messi wants Inter Miami to sign another Ballon d'Or winner next summer, it has been claimed. Messi became the biggest signing in the history of MLS when he arrived in Miami this summer following the expiry of his PSG contract.

Pedja Mijatovic has told La Ser (via MD) that Inter Miami are keen on signing Luka Modric, whose Real Madrid contract expires at the end of this season. “He has received offers from the MLS, from many teams and from Inter Miami in particular. Lionel Messi himself has personally been interested in the possibility (of Modric joining).”

Now, former Real Madrid player Pedja Mijatovic has told Mundo Deportivo that Messi has personally invited Messi to join him at Inter Miami. He said: "He has received offers from the MLS, from many teams and from Inter Miami in particular. Lionel Messi himself has personally been interested in the possibility (of Modric joining)."

Former USMNT star Julian Green has expressed his willingness to make a move to MLS, potentially joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

The latest evidence? Average ticket prices on StubHub for Charlotte FC’s match on Oct. 21 against Inter Miami are selling for an average of $281, the company told CBJ last week. That’s more than five times the cumulative average sales price of $52 for the rest of Charlotte FC’s home schedule thus far.

How and why the spectacle of Messi Mania is showing to be one part of a greater vision that ownership is instilling in the club and its communities: the Freedom To Dream.

Lionel Messi is out once again as Inter Miami battles New York City FC in a showdown with major MLS playoff ramifications.