Messi preaches calm to Inter Miami after poor run continues following another loss at the hands of Orlando.
Messi preaches calm as his side’s miserable run continued with a 3-0 defeat at home to Orlando City in the MLS.
With the Florida derby loss, Miami fell to sixth place in the Eastern Conference and lost their fifth straight game across all competitions.
Messi, a 37-year-old forward for Argentina and an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had a quiet game with only two shots on goal and a scuffed free kick.
“Now we’ll truly see if we’re a team in difficult times, because when everything’s going well it’s very easy,” said Messi.
“When difficult times come, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and pull ourselves together.”
Luis Muriel gave Orlando the lead just before halftime, and Marco Pasalic and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson then gave them goals in the second half.
Miami, who won the Eastern Conference the previous season, has lost seven straight games and given up 20 goals, with their lone win coming against the New York Red Bulls.
Prior to their participation in the Club World Cup in the United States next month, the team has been in poor shape.
Captain Messi’s remarks were echoed by head coach Javier Mascherano, who took over at Miami in November.
“When you are in this dynamic, if we each start pulling ourselves to the side it’ll be impossible to overcome the moment,” said Mascherano.
“It’s clear that we must overcome this all together because clearly this team has shown, especially at the beginning of the season, what they are capable of.”