Will Messi play for Inter Miami against Chicago Fire in MLS today?

Speaking ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS match against Chicago Fire, Javier Morales said the Herons are taking no risks with Lionel Messi’s fitness.

Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales says the Herons are taking Lionel Messi’s ankle-ligament injury “day by day”, with the team captain certain to miss this weekend’s Major League Soccer clash with Chicago Fire.

Messi “won’t be involved” against Chicago

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Morales said: “Leo is ruled out of tomorrow’s game, he won’t be involved. We’re just going day by day, evaluating him with our medical staff and talking about what the best way forward is. The injury has only just happened and we’ll try to have better answers [for the media] soon.

“He’s here with us and getting treatment from the physios. We know how professional he is and he’s going to want to be back in action as soon as possible.”

When did Messi damage his ankle?

Messi sustained the injury in Argentina’s Copa América final victory over Colombia last Sunday, the 36-year-old visibly upset as he left the field at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Photographs showed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in tears on the bench, applying ice to a heavily swollen ankle.

Messi’s involvement in the Copa América has already seen the forward miss every Inter Miami game since their draw with St Louis City on 1 June, although Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s men have enjoyed a good run of results in the star’s absence. Indeed, Miami have won five out of six in MLS in that time, and sit top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings.

Watch - A year of Messi in Miami:

Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire: start time, how to watch

Inter Miami host Chicago Fire today, Saturday July 20, 2024, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the game on MLS Season Pass, a subscription service on the streaming platform Apple TV.

Enjoy Miami vs Chicago on on Season Pass.

You’ll also be able to follow AS USA’s live-text coverage of Miami vs Chicago. Will Gittins will be building up to the game from about 90 minutes ahead of kick-off in Florida, before providing minute-by-minute commentary of the action.

Leagues Cup up next for Inter Miami

Miami’s match-up with Chicago is their last MLS fixture before the division goes on hold first for Wednesday’s All-Star Game, then for this summer’s Leagues Cup - a competition in which the Floridians are the reigning champions. Drawn in Group East 3 with two Mexican teams, Miami begin their Leagues Cup defence against Puebla on Saturday July 27, before completing the first round with a clash against Tigres on Saturday August 3.

At the least, Messi appears likely to miss the All-Star Game - in which MLS’ best players are to take on an ideal Liga MX line-up - and Miami’s Leagues Cup opener at Chase Stadium.