By Milcah Tanimu

Inter Miami’s journey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup came to an abrupt end as they were defeated by Monterrey, leaving Lionel Messi and his team with questions about their next steps.

The highly anticipated matchup turned sour for Messi and Inter Miami as Monterrey secured a convincing 3-1 victory in Mexico. Despite Messi’s late assist for a goal, it wasn’t enough to overcome Monterrey’s dominance.

With Monterrey advancing to the semifinals to face the Columbus Crew, Inter Miami must now shift their focus. For Messi, attention turns to preparing for Copa America 2024, where he will lead Argentina as the reigning champions.

As Inter Miami reflects on their Champions Cup defeat, they’ll need to regroup and address defensive vulnerabilities and offensive shortcomings. With 10 matches remaining before Messi’s expected departure for Copa America, managing his workload will be crucial for both club and country success.

While the loss is disappointing, Inter Miami has plenty to play for in the MLS season ahead. The focus will be on bouncing back and supporting Messi as he prepares to represent Argentina on the international stage.