Dave Hyde: Nonsense is over as fans make peace with Inter Miami (but Messi leaves win)

MIAMI — For those of you waiting patiently for a sign the nonsense was done, there were drummers drumming again and chanters chanting Sunday throughout Inter Miami’s 6-4 win against Philadelphia. That said enough. These select fans were finished holding their breath until they turned blue in the face.

But the ultimate sign of peace in our time, that acknowledging wave these fans so coveted from Lionel Messi, will have to wait. Messi had other things on his mind Sunday night. Namely, his leg.

Something in the back of a leg – some discomfort, some soreness – made him do what he never does and exit in the 73rd minute of a tie game. He stood at midfield, waiting to be replaced, then went right into the tunnel under Nu Stadium.

The best-case explanation would be he didn’t want to aggravate some problem on a rain-slicked field with this the last game before the World Cup break. The worst-case idea for Messi and Argentina is that it’s already aggravated

Either way, Messi left quickly, so here was no full closure from these approximately 1,000 fans who call themselves La Familia. A week ago, they sat in their seats, refused to cheer and re-worded an Argentinian chant in a way that said they wanted some attention with a wave or clap. Messi gave them something else — a look of displeasure.

That led to a fans’ meeting with club officials who wanted to cool the temperature. Angry customers, even if acting petty, aren’t good for business. The fans put out a social media message saying they were good to go again.

And so this was odd theatre entering Sunday. It was made odder by a game where goals fell like rain in the 4-4 first half and rain fell like an Old Testament deluge to start the second half. Messi was Messi. A couple of assists in the first half as old friend Luis Suarez had two goals. A couple of big chances. But then, suddenly, his night was done.

So, what was gotten out of this past week? Hopefully that Inter Miami fans understood the larger reality. They’ve been gifted the best show in MLS soccer. Does this even need to be said? They get to watch Messi. They also get his ability to bring in more stars — reportedly now the Brazilian defender Casemiro on his exit from Manchester United.

Here’s the advice: Enjoy it while it lasts. You know how many markets would trade their team to watch yours?

Every single one, that’s how many.

But part of the bargain of getting this type of team is it’s that there’s more distance between fans and the big-name players. That cozy and familiar feel from previous, anonymous teams is gone. Messi is an international icon, not a Miami icon.

Maybe some games that might mean you overlook small traditions like — gasp! — and a wave or directed clap to the crowd at game’s end from Messi. That seems like an easy trade-off, right?

Most fans’ complaints in sports center around a team losing. Talk to Miami Dolphins fans and their 25 years without a playoff win. Inter Miami are the defending MLS champions and lining up for a likely repeat this season.

Another common complaint is the owner doesn’t spend — or spend smartly. No MLS team spends more or more smartly than the Mas brothes. They got Messi, didn’t they? That changed the business of the MLS. Inter Miami’s $47 million roster is tops in the league — as is their reported $300 million in revenue.

So let’s see. Well-run franchise. Great team. The biggest star on the soccer planet. New stadium.

And some fans threw a tantrum players didn’t wave or clap?

The good news here is several Inter Miami players did acknowledge fans at the end with those important claps. Not Messi, of course. He was gone by the end, probably getting therapy to his leg for whatever ails it.

Next stop for him: World Cup.

Inter Miami don’t return to play until July 22. So, thank goodness the fans are back to being fans. Two months of holding your breath would get uncomfortable.