Tata Martino says Inter Miami will assess Lionel Messi’s fitness in training before deciding on his involvement in a final MLS outing of 2023.
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All-time great has shaken off injuryStarred for his country in World Cup qualifyingBelieves he will be ready to face Charlotte FCWHAT HAPPENED?
The Florida-based outfit have missed out on a place in the play-offs. Despite savouring Leagues Cup glory with Messi on their books, an untimely injury suffered by the Argentine superstar scuppered their plans of making it into the MLS post-season.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi was back in Miami on Wednesday following his latest efforts at international level – which saw him bag a brace in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru – but was restricted to a spectator role as he watched his club colleagues battle to a 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC.
WHAT THEY SAID
Inter Miami will be facing the same opponents on Saturday, with Messi vowing to be fit and ready for that contest. Martino told reporters when asked if the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be involved in a last domestic fixture of the calendar year: “I saw Leo’s interview, saw what he said, but I just had time to say hello to him and we have not had time to talk. The most important thing is the 90 minutes he played [for Argentina], that he felt well and played confidently and not worried about his injury. Sometimes your head plays games with you after injuries. Thursday we will see if he is also ready to play Saturday.”
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Messi watched Inter Miami’s latest match from a pitch-side suite, alongside club co-owner David Beckham, and saw Robbie Robinson snatch a dramatic draw with an 84th-minute equaliser. The South American icon has ruled out making a loan move to Europe in January, meaning that he will be involved in friendly dates prior to the 2024 MLS campaign getting underway in the spring.