The presence of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami in the final of the United States Cup on Wednesday evening against the Houston Dynamo is still uncertain.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was substituted in the first half of the September 20 match against Toronto FC due to leg discomfort, and did not play in the match. concluded 1-1 against Orlando City on Sunday. It was the third match he missed at least in part – two with the Florida club, another with his country – in the last two weeks.
Messi did not take part in the portion of the training session that journalists could attend on Tuesday. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino indicated during the press conference following the training session in Fort Lauderdale that no decision had been made on his participation Wednesday evening .
The nature of Messi’s injury remains a mystery. Fatigue was initially cited as the reason for his absence, but Martino eventually said last week that his discomfort stemmed from scar tissue from a previous injury. Messi attempted to stretch several times during the September 20 match, as if suffering from muscle pain.
Inter Miami is still involved in the MLS playoff race and is scheduled to play three matches over the next few days. The Florida club will host New York City FC on Saturday, visit the Chicago Fire on October 4 and host Cincinnati FC on the 7th.
Martino indicated that a decision on Messi’s presence for these next matches will be made after Wednesday.
Messi – who will earn between US$125 million and US$150 million during his two-and-a-half season contract with Inter Miami – has appeared in 12 matches so far. Most of them took place in the League Cup and the United States Cup. He scored 11 goals and eight assists, in addition to adding one goal and two assists in four MLS games.
Tickets available for resale for Wednesday night’s match (on-sale was launched by the team Tuesday morning, although it is still unclear whether Messi will be able to play) are worth between $170 and $5,000 each.
Messi clinched a 44th career major title when he helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup trophy, which would be a record.
