Tata Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami again this season despite missing last night’s US Open Cup final due to injury.
Speaking to the press via MLS’ official website, the Herons manager revealed that Messi is likely to feature again for Inter Miami despite spending most of the month out through injury.
The 36-year-old wasn’t named in Inter Miami’s squad last night as the Florida franchise lost to the Houston Dynamo 2-1 in the US Open Cup final.
And rumors have been circulating that Messi might not feature again for Inter Miami this season, though Martino has now put these fears to bed.
The Inter Miami boss said when asked if Messi will play in the remaining MLS games despite injury concerns: “Yes, he’ll likely play before the league ends.
“We’ll go game-by-game, defining the situation to see in what moment the medical staff tells us he’s in conditions to play without risking it.”
Inter Miami have to treat Messi’s injury with care
Inter Miami arguably pushed Messi a bit too hard when the forward arrived in Florida this summer, and the Herons are now paying for over-playing the attacker.
At 36, Messi isn’t a spring chicken and needs careful monitoring if Inter Miami are to get the best out their new club captain and the best player on the planet.
And this injury episode needs to be a massive learning moment for Inter Miami, who need to be more cautious with Messi going forward.