Inter Miami OUT of Champions Cup – and next year’s Club World Cup in USA – after 3-1 Monterrey loss as Lionel Messi fails to inspire his team to Mexico victory with David Beckham watching

Lionel Messi’s first start since returning from injury was the only thing Inter Miami fans will be happy about on Wednesday night as they were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Mexico’s Monterrey.

Messi had been out since March 13 with a hamstring injury, ahead of his appearance as a substitute against the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer action last weekend.

Inter Miami entered the Champions Cup quarterfinals needing just two unanswered goals to advance to an All-American semifinal against the Columbus Crew.

By being eliminated by Monterrey, Inter Miami will also not play in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the United States.

Messi played the full 90 minutes of the match in his first start in a month.

United States men’s national team team member Brandon Vazquez scored the opening goal of the game

US national team forward Brandon Vazquez scored the opening goal of the match in the 31st minute after a terrible mistake by fellow countryman Drake Callender, who essentially passed the ball to his opponent from six yards out.

In the evening, Monterrey doubled its lead in the 58th minute on a German Berterame screamer.

Jesus Gallardo scored Monterrey’s final goal of the evening in the 64th minute.

After Jordi Alba was shown a red card in the 78th minute, Inter Miami made sure they did not leave Mexico scoreless by adding a consolation point from Diego Gomez in the 85th minute.

The winner of Columbus-Monterrey will face the winner of Pachuca-Club America in the cup final.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back in MLS action this weekend with a Saturday night match against Sporting Kansas City.

The game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.