A new update has been issued on whether or not Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami this weekend against Mexican giants Tigres.
The 37-year-old attacker has not played for the Herons for almost two months after Messi joined up with Argentina for their winning run to the Copa America, where the attacker was injured in the final against Colombia.
With Messi doing some training at Inter Miami, the forward is yet to return to the pitch with the rest of his teammates this week, bringing up fears that the Herons captain could miss another game having missed the last three.
And an update has now been given on if Messi will play for Inter Miami on Saturday against Tigres.
Messi to miss Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash vs Tigres
Speaking to Inside Inter Miami, journalist Michelle Kaufman shared that Messi is highly unlikely to play for the Florida franchise this weekend against Tigres in Leagues Cup, with the forward still seen wearing a protective boot last Saturday.
With Inter Miami all-but through to the next round of Leagues Cup after their 2-0 win against Club Puebla, this weekend’s tie in Houston will once again be a game that the Herons can survive without Messi, who needs to focus on recovering.
Kaufman said on Messi’s fitness: “The swelling has gone down, he’s walking a lot better, but he’s still wearing the boot as of Saturday. Tata said he’s going to have several more days in the boot, once it’s off, then they’ll be able to evaluate when he start doing things on the field.
“Up until now, he’s been with the physios and working on strength, but he’s not been able to do any training at all on the field on his feet. So knowing that, it’s highly doubtful that he’s going to play, there’s just no way he’s playing against Tigres when he’s been in a walking boot the past Saturday.”
Herons have to rule Messi out for the rest of Leagues Cup
Having won the competition last year and currently leading the MLS Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami have come a long way in the last 12 months since the signing of Messi.
The pressure is off this year in Leagues Cup for Tata Martino’s side to retain the title given just how well Inter Miami are doing in MLS, with the Herons the pre-play-off favourites for MLS Cup heading into the post-season.
And with Messi set to miss another Leagues Cup game, it would be wise for Inter Miami to rule the forward out for the entire competition, with the Argentine’s injury becoming a separate side-show for the tournament.