Udaipur, April 3, 2025: The gallery at BMO Stadium was packed with stars, including basketball legends Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green; legendary musician Lionel Richie; actor Jaime Camil; model and media personality Kendall Jenner; and Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni. But has Lionel Messi been able to satisfy them?

The answer from Messi himself is probably no. His team, Inter Miami, lost 1-0 to host Los Angeles FC in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals in Los Angeles. This is Miami’s first loss of the year and their first defeat in 10 matches under Argentine coach Javier Macherano. Miami will play the second leg in Fort Lauderdale on April 9, but they will be without Sergio Busquets due to a yellow card today.

Messi Returns from Injury, Struggles to Make an Impact

Messi, who returned from injury, scored the winning goal in Miami's last match in MLS. He played the entire match today. In the first half, Messi had two free kicks: one went over the post, while the other was saved by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. In the 57th minute, forward Nathan Ordaz scored the only goal for LAFC.

Messi’s Unlucky Streak in Champions Cup

Since joining Miami two years ago, Messi had a goal or assist in his first six Champions Cup matches. He scored three goals in the opening rounds this year. Today, Messi had a good chance to score in the 80th minute, but his shot from the top of the box went over the post.

Late Opportunities Go Unfulfilled

Six minutes later, Messi had another shot, but Lloris made the save. In added time during the second half, Miami was awarded another free kick after a foul, but Messi’s shot also went over the post.