Soccer

Houston Dynamo throw shade at Messi on social media during US Open Cup final

Houston Dynamo put on a show against Inter Miami in the 2023 US Open Cup final, and the social media team made sure to joke about Lionel Messi's absence.

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Updated on
September 28, 2023 04:11PM EDT

After missing the derby against Orlando City, Lionel Messi couldn’t recover on time for the 2023 US Open Cup final so he had to watch from the sidelines how Houston Dynamo outplayed his Inter Miami.

Drake Callender did everything he could to keep a clean sheet but it took only 24 minutes for the visitors to take the lead thanks to Griffin Dorsey. Nine minutes later, Amine Bassi extended Houston’s lead from the penalty spot.

Just like Dallas FC or Atlanta United did in the past, the social media team of the away side made sure to take a subtle jab at Messi’s side as Dynamo were paving the way towards the title.

Houston Dynamo troll Messi, Inter Miami on social media

“Messi? Nah, we got Bassi,” wrote the club on X (Twitter). There was still a lot left to play for in the game, but with Messi on the sidelines, the Houston Dynamo admin didn’t seem to be worried.

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Some users replied pointing out the fact that they were poking fun at a player who wasn’t even on the field, but others understood it was just a joke.

Either way, it was a night to remember for the Houston Dyanmo, who secured the trophy for the second time, with minority owner James Harden cheering on them at the stadium. The Herons, on the other hand, really missed Messi’s magic.

How many goals does Lionel Messi have with Inter Miami?

Lionel Messi has scored 11 goals in 12 appearances for Inter Miami so far.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.