Inter Miami loses its final game of the MLS season even with star Lionel Messi back in the side, after Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina turned the World Cup winner’s insane free kick onto the woodwork

Inter Miami lost its final match of the MLS season, even with star Lionel Messi back in the squad, after his insane second-half free kick was turned onto the crossbar by Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.

The World Cup winner was back in the Herons’ starting line-up on Saturday after their 1-0 defeat to The Crown in North Carolina. He even reclaimed the captain’s armband for the meaningless game after Miami was eliminated from the playoffs earlier this month.

Messi had the chance to draw his team level with a free kick just outside Charlotte’s penalty area in the 61st minute, after he and his teammates fell behind to a Kerwin Vargas goal in the first half (13′).

His shot from an acute angle was thought to be goalbound, but Kahlina reflexively managed to tap the ball onto the crossbar in the last second, as it had until then swarmed through a crowd of players from both sides.

Charlotte had a lot on the line in this weekend’s match, but those playing for The Crown made sure they were in control of their own destiny with a convincing win as they now hold the final play-off seed (9th) of the Eastern Conference.

The 36-year-old had a great chance to draw Miami level with a free kick from close range in the 61′

Miami, on the other hand, has already failed to make the playoffs after losing 1-0 at home to Cincinnati earlier this month.

Messi had come on as a second-half substitute in that game due to injuries, but could not prevent his team from crashing out of the MLS regular season.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner went the distance at Bank Of America Stadium on Saturday evening, finishing with a total of three shots, two of which were deemed scoring chances.

Apart from his free-kick in the second half, Messi had an apparent goal disallowed for offside in the 49th minute. Had the goal counted, it would have been the 36-year-old’s twelfth goal in fourteen games against Miami this season.

Charlotte will now participate in its first-ever postseason since its inaugural year in 2022. The Crown also finished second in league attendance this season, averaging 33,634 fans per game, before heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale.

Messi will miss the MLS postseason in his first year with Miami after signing with the club in July

Kerwin Vargas scored the only goal of Saturday’s match to secure a playoff spot for Charlotte FC

Messi started four times and scored one goal in six MLS appearances for Inter Miami this season

Miami finished the season with eight wins, two draws and four losses when Messi played. Seven of those matches were on the way to the team’s first ever trophy by claiming the Leagues Cup championship.

Messi also appeared in six MLS matches, starting four times and scoring one goal. He also played in a US Open Cup semi-final.

But a leg injury derailed his season and essentially ended Inter Miami’s chances of making the postseason. Miami is now 1-4-3 in eight games without Messi since he joined the club in July.

The Herons’ number 10 is now expected to wear the team’s colors on November 5 and 8, when it plays two friendlies in China.

It will be the first time that Inter Miami will tour abroad. Argentina then has more World Cup qualifiers on November 16 and 21 – after which Messi should get a longer break before Inter Miami starts preparing for 2024.

The Argentine has previously denied he is considering a move to former club FC Barcelona during the MLS season to stay fit.