Prior to the start of the MLS season, Inter Miami was tipped for larger and better things, because Lionel Messi hoped to finally catch the league title that had escaped him the last two seasons.
But because things are in mid -May, it might be too much for the herons' demand.
Messi and Inter Miami have only won four games since the beginning of April in 12 matches-included back-to-back loses that have eliminated them from the Concacaf Champions Cup.
They only have one one match -a 4-1 thrashing from the New York Red Bulls at home -in their last seven games and lost three of their last five in the competition.
So, when Messi gave a rare interview after the game to Michele Giannone of Apple TV in Spanish after a demoralizing 3-0 loss for rivals in the state of Orlando City, the Argentinian world cup winner about the form of his team.
“It's a difficult time, but we'll get through this,” said Messi in his native language.
'Now we will really see if we are a team. These are difficult times. If everything goes well, it is very easy, but when difficult times come – like now – we must be more united than ever, be a real team and get through it. '
The season before, Inter Miami set the record for the best regular season in the MLS history.
But this year, Messi and a team consisting of former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets and helped by Javier Mascherano are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and eleventh in the race for supporters Shield.
“We come from a period of poor results,” said Messi. “But we have to keep working and think about what the next is.
“With three or four games left in May, we must (have to) finish the best possible way to face the World Cup of Club.”
The newly renewed Club World Cup should yield positive results for Inter Miami. They will be furthest in the group stage traveling a few hours north of Atlanta for a match against FC Porto from Portugal.
Their group stage matches against Al Ahly van Egypt and Palmeiras of Brazil will both take place in Miami.
Messi has a decayed contract that expires at the end of the current MLS season.
Although the club has made it clear that they want Messi to extend its deal, there is no indication or that will happen.
Mascherano believes that there will soon be a kind of solution.
“Hopefully we can have news about Leo in a few weeks,” said Mascherano. “I think it will be very, very important for the club, fans and for MLS.”
Inter Miami still has three games before their club World Cup campaign starts.
That starts this weekend with a fixture against the leading Philadelphia Union