Inter Miami’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo has taken a major hit in the final minutes of preparation because Lionel Messi is not in the squad.

Scar tissue from an old injury to a leg muscle has been causing problems for the Argentina World Cup winner. The decision on the 36-year-old’s role was delayed until the absolute last minute by Miami.

Fans in Miami started to worry when the team didn’t include Messi in their final game appearance at DRV PNK Stadium. 

A while later, he showed up at the stadium to cheer for his team, but he wasn’t wearing any Miami gear. He and his wife Antonela watched helplessly from the stands as Miami’s performance suffered greatly in his absence and the team fell behind 2-0 at halftime.

Messi was taken off in the 37th minute of last week’s 4-0 MLS victory over Toronto and did not play in the 1-1 draw with the same team over the weekend. Tata Martino, Messi’s coach, has decided that the player is not fit for game action.