Despite the return from injury of its star Lionel Messi, Inter Miami was eliminated from the race for the MLS play-offs after a 1-0 defeat on Saturday at home against FC Cincinnati.

The Argentine number 10 entered in the 55th minute at 0-0 without managing to prevent the solid leader of the Eastern Conference from winning thanks to a goal from Alvaro Barreal (78th).

If successful, Miami could continue to dream of qualifying for the American League play-offs. But the Florida club, penultimate in the East, now finds itself too far (33 pts) from the last play-off in its conference, DC United (40 pts), two days before the end of the championship.

The absence of Messi, for four matches, will have cost Inter dearly, who have not won since September 20 against Toronto (4-0), the worst team in MLS.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner returned injured from the international break with Argentina in September and played only 37 minutes against Toronto before having to come off.