<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Lionel Messi was ruled out of Inter Miami's squad for their US Open Cup final clash Wednesday with Houston Dynamo, the team confirmed.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Argentine superstar had been an injury doubt leading up to the final in Florida after missing his team's 1-1 draw with Orlando City on Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Messi's fitness has been shrouded in mystery since he returned from international duty with Argentina earlier this month.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was substituted in the final minutes of Argentina's 1-0 win over Ecuador in their South American World Cup qualifier on September 7 and then skipped their match at Bolivia, five days later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 36-year-old missed a game against Atlanta on September 16 with what was described as "muscle fatigue."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He then returned to play against Toronto four days later, but was substituted after just 37 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inter Miami confirmed in their starting line-up released Wednesday that Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba would also play no part in the final.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The US Open Cup, a knockout tournament for amateur and professional teams, has been contested since 1914, making it by far the oldest soccer competition in the United States. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>