Lionel Messi is expected to miss Inter Miami's trip to D.C. United on Saturday after coming off injured during their CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Nashville.
Miami booked their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night, with goals from Messi, Luis Suarez and Robert Taylor enough to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory.
Yet it wasn't an entirely positive night for the hosts at Chase Stadium, as just five minutes into the second half their star man was taken off early to spark injury fears ahead of the international break.
After the win, Miami coach Tata Martino confirmed Messi was feeling discomfort in his right hamstring area, before all but ruling him out of their MLS clash with D.C. United this weekend.
'He is overloaded in the right posterior,' Martino said about his fellow Argentine. 'We don't want to run a risk. We tried to see if he could go for a little longer, but it was bothering him, so we preferred for him to just get out of the game.'
On Saturday's game in Washington, Martino added: 'I don't want to risk it, but I imagine that for Saturday's game, he is not going to be available.
'We'll have an evaluation and see some imaging, and we will see how he progresses.'
After fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Messi scored in the first half of a comfortable Miami victory in the second that wrapped up a 5-3 aggregate win over Nashville.
The Herons have secured a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup's quarterfinals, where they will face either FC Cincinnati or Mexico's Monterrey.
If he is sidelined on Saturday, Messi would miss a second consecutive MLS regular-season match. He was also rested last weekend as Miami lost 3-2 to visiting CF Montreal, with Martino acknowledging the team must be careful with the 36-year-old's workload.
Suarez continued his fine form in the pink of Miami to open the scoring just eight minutes into Wednesday's game, collecting a pass from Messi to poke past the keeper.
Messi was on the scoresheet a few minutes later, when he collected a pass from Diego Gomez, before firing past the goalkeeper and into the right-hand side of the net.
After the break, Taylor replaced Messi on 50 minutes and got a goal himself, directing a beautifully-weighted Suarez cross into the top corner.
In injury time, Sam Surridge pulled one back for Nashville, but it is Inter Miami and their star-studded roster that march on to the next round of the competition.
Pass2Pogba
0
I mean copa america , we've witnessed he taking this type of long leave before worldcup. also winning MLS cup ,leagues cup and concacaf cup is not easy . they give a tight competition. miami is not bigger than al Nasser or alhilal (that's the criteria how people eveluate these days)but , I can sure MLS is more competitive than spl.
why do you all bring competitors???? I am talking about the individual player called Messi. not Ronaldo or Neymar, have I mentioned?
hiwimsuy
1
I Love Messi 💔💔💐💐
EdisonBaby
0
Messi can't keep up with fitness. I guess his time is over and will probably retire for good.
I mean copa america , we've witnessed he taking this type of long leave before worldcup. also winning MLS cup ,leagues cup and concacaf cup is not easy . they give a tight competition. miami is not bigger than al Nasser or alhilal (that's the criteria how people eveluate these days)but , I can sure MLS is more competitive than spl.
Pass2Pogba
0
It’s called prioritising bro, The management will rather use him for a more competitive match than to waste his energy on less competitive one because he’s very instrumental to the team’s performance. He picks his fight and not get embarrassed like some glory hunters
I understand you totally that we can't accept his tiredness of playing MlS football. if he was still at barca it won't be the same. or will it?
Pass2Pogba
0
wait bro , he no normal man, big games are coming. still 5 goals from 5 game.
Big games? there is no big games anymore ay MLS. lol
Triola
1
Messi can't keep up with fitness. I guess his time is over and will probably retire for good.
It’s called prioritising bro, The management will rather use him for a more competitive match than to waste his energy on less competitive one because he’s very instrumental to the team’s performance. He picks his fight and not get embarrassed like some glory hunters
Pecelrtuz
0
Cr5 fans a here calling messi coward bcoz they want him to get injured bcoz he gives them nightmares but little do they know that messi doesn't play fr personal glory like tapinaldo who wants every minutes of the game to be about him imagine asking "who is counting" bcoz he scored😂😂messi completed football thr is no reason he should be playing every game, crynaldo
FuckEverything
0
fans should ask for a refund of the tickets
They asked for Miami vs DC match tickets. Not the Messi tickets
FuckEverything
0
Messi looking like this with a lot of money & white skin 😂... Imagine if he was black & poor
No sense comment
Neccdklrsu
0
sack coach
Hami66
3
Always injured like dembelle
I think you are 12 years old, or started watching football just last year? messi has the least injury in the history of Professional players.
EdisonBaby
1
Messi can't keep up with fitness. I guess his time is over and will probably retire for good.
wait bro , he no normal man, big games are coming. still 5 goals from 5 game.
wambeiosuz
0
cowards..what else can he do to run from humiliation..
EdisonBaby
0
Always injured like dembelle
dude he only missed on game yet 😂. do you know who dembele is?
Wahahahaaaha
1
Dude can just enjoy his life. play for fun. ideal retirement plan. No pressure
Lezaklnrst
2
Always injured like dembelle
Kesadlor
2
fans should ask for a refund of the tickets
Nenacnopt
3
Messi uses this trick so that he can rest very well to play COPA America remember PSG and what he did on World cup
dougiefresh
3
At Inter Miami Lionel Messi🐐 is thriving 🤩
Bouaeiosuy
2
Messi looking like this with a lot of money & white skin 😂... Imagine if he was black & poor
Pass2Pogba
1
Messi can't keep up with fitness. I guess his time is over and will probably retire for good.
GopsAmeshu
3
Hope Saurez make the work done without Messi