Tata Martino has stated that he is unsure if Lionel Messi will feature for Inter Miami in the US Open Cup final this week.
Speaking to the press via Goal, the Herons manager revealed that Messi’s fitness ahead of Wednesday is still unknown, with the forward again missing this weekend’s Inter Miami fixture in MLS.
Messi, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, was absent from Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Flordia rivals Orlando City.
And the race to gain fitness is now on, with Martino unsure if Messi will be able to feature for Inter Miami this week against the Houston Dynamo.
Martino said: “It’s very difficult to give him a percentage because we have to take it day by day. We’ll continue to evaluate him and, as I always say, I will listen to him first and see how he’s feeling.
“Then we’ll also need to evaluate future risks. It’s not an easy decision, but we’re going to take the right amount of time to try to not make a mistake.”
Inter Miami need Messi fit for US Open Cup final
The US Open Cup final has been billed by Martino himself as Inter Miami’s most important game this season, with a potential cup double on the line for the Herons.
And if the Florida franchise are to have any hope of winning on Wednesday, having Messi in the squad will be needed for Martino and company.
Whilst the Dynamo could be beatable without the 36-year-old, Messi’s magical powers will help Inter Miami greatly in any potential win, with the forward too good to miss out on such a key game.