Messi misses Open Cup final but hopes to return soon as Miami fights for playoff spot

Lionel Messi sat out the U.S. Open Cup final due to injury as Houston Dynamo defeated Inter Miami 2-1.
Messi has missed several recent matches for club and country with a leg issue.
Inter Miami is currently 5 points outside of the last Eastern Conference playoff position with 5 games left.
Messi returned to training on Friday, but his availability for upcoming games is still uncertain.
If Miami misses the playoffs, Messi could face an extended 4-month break until next season starts in February.