Lionel Messi watches Inter Miami draw 1-1 against New York City FC at home from the sideline… as Argentine star misses sixth straight game with hamstring injury

Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines as his Inter Miami team split points with New York City FC on Saturday night.

Club co-owner David Beckham and his family were also in attendance, as the team’s winless streak now extends to two games.

The game was tied 1-1 at halftime and both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm. At the end of the 90 minutes and with a change, neither team achieved the decisive factor to leave Chase Stadium with three points.

Luis Suárez opened the scoring in the 15th minute with his fifth goal of the season. Julian Gressel provided the assist with a cross from a free kick to find the Uruguayan and header past Matt Freese.

NYCFC would tie in the 34th with a right hand from Alonso Martínez that beat Drake Callender. The goal marked Martínez’s first in MLS in his first start for NYCFC.

NYCFC was also in a five-way tie for the worst scoring team in MLS with just four goals.

On the other hand, Inter Miami entered Saturday’s game with a 3-1-2 record. The Herons have been without Messi for six games, as the Argentine suffers a right hamstring injury.

Miami looked to bounce back after suffering its first scoreless loss, taking a 4-0 beating at the hands of the New York Red Bulls.

At the stalemate, Inter Miami controlled 56.1 percent of the possession.

The hosts also outscored their guests, 16-10. However, only six of Inter Miami’s attempts were on target. Meanwhile, NYCFC hit the target three times.

Despite not finding the net again, the men in pink showed their teeth several times and forced Freese to make five saves.

Suárez’s goal puts him in second place tied with LA Galaxy’s Dejan Joveljic for this season’s top scorer. Lewis Morgan of the Red Bulls leads the race with six.

Inter Miami will remain at home for its next match when it hosts Monterey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on April 3. Meanwhile, NYCFC will host Eastern Conference competitor Atlanta United on the 6th.

The Herons are second in the East behind FC Cincinnati with 11 points. On the other hand, NYCFC is in 14th place with four points.

The two teams will meet again on September 21 when Inter Miami heads to the Big Apple. The Herons hope to have Messi before then as they seek their first MLS franchise title after their successful signing of him last year.