No Messi, No Problem: Inter Miami Still Tops MLS Title Odds

Messi has been crucial in making Inter Miami one of the top teams in the MLS. They are the overwhelming favorites to win the MLS Cup with odds at +160. Furthermore, they are the favorites to reach the MLS final, set at -150, and to win the Eastern Conference, at -500. Inter Miami is in first place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points in 25 games.

However, that is surprising given that Messi has only played 12 games for Inter Miami this season. In those 12 games, he scored 12 goals and added 10 assists, but his inability to stay on the pitch has hurt his chances of leading the MLS in goals – with his odds only at +700 to do so. Messi’s injury in the Copa America Final headlined MLS news as he has not played in the last three Inter Miami games.

Messi’s Injury Woes

The Copa America tournament must have had bettors on Inter Miami to win the MLS on the edge of their seats. With how well Messi is still playing, it is easy to forget that he is 37 years old. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the player that most fans consider the GOAT started to show hints of his age in the tournament.

In the tournament’s opening game against Canada, Messi seemed to pick up an injury that hampered him in the second game against Chile. That led him to miss Argentina’s third and final group-stage game. Argentina still won their group, winning all three games, but there was slight concern in soccer betting because of a possible Messi injury.

Concerns would grow in the quarterfinal match against Ecuador, in which Messi struggled. He did not look like himself, even missing the opening attempt of the penalty shootout. However, Argentina proved too much for Ecuador, and then Messi looked like he was back to normal against Canada in the semifinals, scoring his lone goal in the tournament.

Messi is in tears as he is subbed off due to injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/t0l3OLLuWf

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 15, 2024

However, Argentina eventually won the final against Colombia with Messi on the bench. He needed to be subbed off at the 66th minute with tears in his eyes due to an injury to his ankle that happened in the final.

After the game, it was announced that he had an ankle ligament injury, with no timetable for a return. Since then, Inter Miami has played three matches and there is still no update on when Messi will return.

Inter Miami Rolling Without Messi

Since Messi was injured in the Copa America Final, Inter Miami has found a way to hold its own. They have won the three games since his injury by a combined scoreline of 7-2.

However, Messi last played for Inter Miami on June 1. Since then, the team has won seven of its eight games, with the only loss coming in a dreadful 6-1 defeat against FC Cincinnati. Still, there is a lot of promise for MLS betting that without Messi and Luis Suárez, who was also playing in Copa America for Uruguay, Inter Miami could be fine.

That shows that even with two players who have combined for 24 goals this season in the MLS for Inter Miami, there is more than enough talent on this roster to keep the team a title favorite.

Even though Inter Miami is still in first place in the Eastern Conference, there might still have been some doubts about MLS picks if it struggled without its two “household name players,” but this should have put that to rest now. This team has the talent to be at the top of the MLS, and when Messi returns, he could secure the team’s success this season.

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