### Inter Miami Faces Historic Defeat: Messi's Struggles Highlight Team's Woes Inter Miami CF experienced a significant setback on May 10, 2025, suffering a 4-1 defeat against Minnesota United, marking the worst loss since Lionel Messi joined the team in 2023. This match not only underscored the team's defensive vulnerabilities but also raised questions about the future of head coach Javier Mascherano, as the club has now lost four of its last five matches across all competitions. Messi managed to score Miami's only goal, but the overall performance left much to be desired, leading to a drop in the Eastern Conference standings. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Points 1. **Match Overview**: - Inter Miami lost 4-1 to Minnesota United, with Messi scoring the lone goal for Miami. - This defeat is noted as Messi's heaviest loss in his MLS career [https://www.si.com/soccer/miami-worst-mls-performance-messi-era-takeaways-loss-minnesota-united]. 2. **Team Performance**: - The match marked Miami's fourth loss in five games, raising concerns about the team's form and defensive capabilities [https://www.firstpost.com/sports/football-news/lionel-messi-suffers-worst-defeat-since-joining-mls-inter-miami-minnesota-united-result-13887427.html]. - Key players, including Luis Suarez and Fafa Picault, were absent, impacting the team's attacking options [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/messi-scores-short-handed-inter-030456949.html]. 3. **Coaching Concerns**: - Javier Mascherano's position as head coach is under scrutiny following the team's poor performance [https://www.si.com/soccer/miami-worst-mls-performance-messi-era-takeaways-loss-minnesota-united]. - The team's inability to maintain a solid defense has been a recurring issue, with 14 goals conceded in the last five matches [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/messi-scores-mascherano-struggles-answers-062941127.html]. ### Supporting Evidence: Match Statistics and Player Contributions - **Match Statistics**: - Final Score: Inter Miami 1 - 4 Minnesota United - Goals for Minnesota: Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Anthony Markanich, Robin Lod, and an own goal by Marcelo Weigandt [https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/minnesota_united_roll_past_inter_miami/s1_17064_42177854]. - Messi's Goal: Scored in the second half, marking his sixth goal of the season [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/05/11/messi-suffers-worst-defeat-in-mls-career]. ### Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for Inter Miami 1. **Current State**: Inter Miami is struggling, with a record of four losses in five games, raising alarms about the team's future and Mascherano's leadership. 2. **Messi's Role**: Despite Messi's individual brilliance, the team's collective performance is lacking, leading to significant defeats. 3. **Next Steps**: The club must address its defensive issues and consider strategic changes to improve its standing in the league. In summary, Inter Miami's recent performance against Minnesota United has highlighted critical issues within the team, particularly in defense and management, necessitating urgent attention to reverse their current trajectory [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6346831/2025/05/10/lionel-messi-inter-miami-defeat-minnesota-united].