Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami against DC United?

The Argentine recorded a goal and an assist in the midweek win over Nashville SC but looks set to miss out on the return to MLS action.

Lionel Messi was the difference-maker in Inter Miami’s victory over Nashville SC in the their midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture. With the scores level from the first leg in Nashville the Argentine took control of the return game at Chase Stadium, scoring once and setting up Luis Suarez to give his side a comfortable two-goal lead at the break.

Inter Miami were cruising in the quarter-finals of the pan-continental competition but, just five minutes after halftime, Messi was surprisingly withdrawn by Herons head coach Tata Martino.

Messi remained on the substitutes’ bench for the entirety of the second half and did not appear to be receiving any significant treatment from medical staff. The Herons saw out the game to progress but the Argentine’s premature exit caused concern about his fitness.

Speaking after the game Martino revealed that the 36-year-old had felt an issue in his right hamstring, similar to the muscular injuries that have blighted his time in South Florida.

The Miami boss said: “He has an overload in his right hamstring, so we didn’t want to take any risks. We tried to play a bit more, but it was bothering him, so we decided to make the change,” adding that “he won’t be ready for Saturday’s game.”

When will Lionel Messi return for Inter Miami?

Messi has begun the 2024 campaign in his own inimitable style. The Inter Miami captain has recorded five goals and two assists in his opening five games of the new season, helping his team to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and making a promising start in MLS.

His latest muscular issue comes at a bad time for Miami, who are hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s league defeat to CF Montreal. With an international break on the horizon Messi may not feature again for Miami this month.

Argentina face El Salvador on Friday 22 March and Costa Rica on Tuesday 26 March. Messi should be fit enough to feature for Argentina and, as captain of the Albiceleste, will likely play for the majority of both games.

Inter Miami travel to NY Red Bulls (Saturday 23 March) after the DC United game and finish off their March fixtures with a home match against New York City (Saturday 30 March). He will certainly miss the game against the Red Bulls and will be touch and go to return in time to take on NYCFC on home turf.