Alozie and Messi: Super Falcons star celebrates as Houston Dynamo defeats Inter Miami in US Open final

Due to an injury, he sustained while representing Argentina, Lionel Messi was not included in the squad and was forced to watch Inter Miami CF's 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo in the US Open final from the sidelines early on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Messi was not included on the team sheet when the lineup was made public prior to the championship game at DRV PNK Stadium.

Jordi Alba, a former teammate of Messi's at Barcelona, missed the defeat as well due to a personal injury; both players were seen in the stands in shortly after kickoff.

Houston took full advantage of Miami's weakness—two of their players were absent—scoring twice in the opening period on a penalty kick by Amine Bassi and a close-range thunderbolt from Griffin Dorsey.

Miami attempted to force their way back into the game after winning the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament between MLS and Liga MX, but they were unsuccessful and could only muster a late consolation goal from Josef Martinez.

Super Falcons of Nigeria star Michelle Alozie got involved in the celebrations as Houston Dynamo won the US Open.

The 26-year-old Nigerian defender took to her official social media platforms to congratulate Houston Dynamo on winning the trophy.

Alozie supported Houston Dyanmo over Messi regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

The Super Falcons star plays for the Houston Dash which is in the same city as the Houston Dynamo.

Alozie's support for the Houston Dynamo comes after she cleared up talk about her sexuality on social media.

Alozie received a red card playing for the Houston Dash in an NWSL fixture against the San Diego Wave.

The red card for Alozie saw her miss the next game for Houston Dash away against Uchenna Kanu's Racing Louisville.

Alozie was invited to the Super Falcons for the 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier against Sao Tome, which was canceled.

With her suspension over, Alozie is expected to return to action when the Houston Dash take on Ifeoma Onumonu's Gotham FC on Sunday, October 1st, 2023.

Alozie is not the first player of Nigerian descent to root against Messi.

In the League's Cup final, Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo supported Nashville against Messi's Inter Miami.

Antetokounmpo and his brother did Cristiano Ronaldo's SIU celebration before the game as Nashville went on to lose on penalties.

There were several notable names to come watch the US Open final.

Inter Miami owner David Beckham welcomed France football legend Zinedine Zidane to the game as they posed for pictures with Messi.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard James Harden who is a part owner for the Houston Dynamo also came to see his team win the trophy.

Since his arrival in Miami in July as part of a record-breaking agreement, Messi has made a spectacular impression in the MLS.

He has been a part of 16 goals and scored 11 of them, helping the squad win every game in which he has appeared.

With five games remaining and two games in hand, Miami is five points behind New York City FC, whom they play on Saturday in Major League Soccer, for the final playoff place.