Lionel Messi’s streak of 10 consecutive attacking points in his first nine games with Inter Miami came to an end.
Miami played to a 0-0 draw at home against Nashville SC in Major League Soccer (MLS) Round 29 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., on Aug. 31.
Messi played the entirety of the match and diligently threatened the opposition goal, but was unable to find the back of the net amidst a stifling defense.
The result ended Messi’s streak of consecutive attacking points dating back to his Miami debut at nine games (11 goals, three assists).
In the 37th minute, it looked like Messi would work his “magic” again with a free kick about 25 meters from goal, but his shot bounced high off a defender.
In second-half stoppage time, Messi whirled down the right and tried a sharp shot from the right side of the goal area, but his effort was caught by the goalkeeper’s foot.
Miami remained in 14th place (22 points) out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference.
Nashville sits in seventh place (39 points).
On July 17, Messi made his debut and stunned soccer fans across the country and around the world when he scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul (Mexico) in a League Cup group stage match on July 22 with a picturesque free kick in stoppage time.
From there, Messi scored in seven consecutive matches in the League Cup, totaling 10 goals and one assist as Miami went on to win the fairytale title.
In the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Cincinnati on March 24, Messi provided two assists with a precise cross as the team was down 0-2.
Messi’s form carried over to MLS. He came on as a second-half substitute in the 28th round of MLS against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 27 and scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory. 먹튀검증