Lionel Messi was sidelined for Inter Miami’s goalless draw with Orlando City this midweek, but the Herons’ head coach is hopeful the forward can return this weekend.
Inter Miami boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino says he intends to bring Lionel Messi back into his team for this weekend’s MLS clash with DC United, but will make a final decision on the superstar forward’s fitness in the coming days.
What injury does Messi have?
Messi sat out Miami’s match-up with Florida rivals Orlando City yesterday, having sustained a knee knock in the Herons’ win over Montréal last Saturday. In the eight-time Ballon d’Or’s absence, Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by at Inter&Co Stadium, ending a run of five straight league wins.
“[Messi] was carrying a bit of a niggle,” Martino told reporters after the stalemate in Orlando. “He trained every day [in the lead-up to the game], following a routine he had agreed on with the coaching staff and the club’s medical team, so as to take good care of the knee he had taken a blow to in the previous game. He was concerned, he went through some tests, and the results were very positive.
“But the fact is that he felt some pain in his movements and, given that we’re on a run of three games in the space of a week, we felt the most sensible thing to do was leave him out of today’s game. The plan is that he’ll play on Saturday, but it’s going to depend on how he progresses. We’re not going to take any risks, and on Thursday and Friday we’ll assess his fitness.”
“We don’t have the same ability on the ball in the final third”
After watching his side draw a blank in front of goal for the first time in 10 games in all competitions, Martino added that Miami missed Messi’s attacking creativity against Orlando. “When Leo isn’t playing, we don’t have the same ability on the ball in the final third of the pitch,” he said.
“That’s a problem that Inter Miami have today, and that Barcelona had 10 years ago. Today we missed that ability that he has, but we were a well organised team and circulated the ball well.”
What are Messi’s stats in MLS in 2024?
Since missing four MLS games through injury in March, Messi has scored seven goals and supplied eight assists in the North American league, taking his tally in the division this season to 10 goals and 11 assists in nine appearances. The 36-year-old was named MLS’s Player of the Month for April.
Miami currently lead the MLS Eastern Conference standings by one point, ahead of a Cincinnati side that has played one game fewer.
songsohia
0
Who cares
Apparently you
Cuhadiprtu
2
Messi
EdisonBaby
1
messi will come back and take inter miami back on the top of the table.
myclubliverpool
0
which game or team is bigger one in the MLS, I don't think you been real here n that you don't know messi at all cuz he wants to play every game dude, you just another penaldo fan that's why!!
he is finished and only left with complains
pemblorstz
0
Messi is changing the rules of the game. He is setting a very bad example to the future generation. Playing football with your body guard running the lines and even scramble for the ball with ball boys
which game or team is bigger one in the MLS, I don't think you been real here n that you don't know messi at all cuz he wants to play every game dude, you just another penaldo fan that's why!!
vamabceiln
1
Who cares
festy111
0
don't stress our Goat if he's not feet he has won it all , he has nothing to prove to anyone anymore
Jevenson’s
3
We need him on June 20 so leave home out until then👍🏾😴💙🇦🇷🤍
Yuyeiklpru
1
Messi is changing the rules of the game. He is setting a very bad example to the future generation. Playing football with your body guard running the lines and even scramble for the ball with ball boys
hahaha 🤣😂 dude obsessed with Messi, 😂😂😆 chill bro
cizceimpty
0
Finished that why na
myclubliverpool
0
But you always post negative things about Messi. Seems you may be biased. Be easier to come here and just say “hey chat, I don’t like Messi”
I'm not a fanatic but say things as they are. Ask urself why is he the only one to go over the media
Yumbcnrstu
0
We are tired of Pepsi Can fake injuries & illness to skip big games... Bring a weakest team in the league than he's fit. Expired Pepsi
But you’re not tired typing 💩.
zuzacdeklp
0
We are tired of Pepsi Can fake injuries & illness to skip big games... Bring a weakest team in the league than he's fit. Expired Pepsi
Name any big club and country messi hasn’t scored against ? Chow chow chow
Bouaeiosuy
1
We are tired of Pepsi Can fake injuries & illness to skip big games... Bring a weakest team in the league than he's fit. Expired Pepsi
songsohia
0
Messi is changing the rules of the game. He is setting a very bad example to the future generation. Playing football with your body guard running the lines and even scramble for the ball with ball boys
But you always post negative things about Messi. Seems you may be biased. Be easier to come here and just say “hey chat, I don’t like Messi”
Wasgud
0
Messi is changing the rules of the game. He is setting a very bad example to the future generation. Playing football with your body guard running the lines and even scramble for the ball with ball boys
if you don't know what to say just shut up this makes no sense at all, next time read what you wrote before posting it on a public platform where everyone can see what a m*ron you are
myclubliverpool
2
Messi is changing the rules of the game. He is setting a very bad example to the future generation. Playing football with your body guard running the lines and even scramble for the ball with ball boys