Lionel Messi has now missed three consecutive games for Inter Miami, and they managed to salvage a draw against New York City FC.
Lionel Messi, 36, has already missed two games due to a “scar tissue” which was confirmed by head coach Tata Martino.
The Argentine was on the sidelines as Inter Miami lost the U.S. Open Cup final to Houston Dynamo.
Inter Miami habe struggled following Messi’s absence but they managed to salvage a point against New York City FC in their last game.
Tomás Avilés, 19, who hails from the same country as Lionel Messi, scored in stoppage time to ensure they shared points.
Inter Miami has not revealed the severity of the injury that has stopped Lionel Messi from playing after he was substituted off in the 37th minute during a match against Toronto on September 20, 2023.
The MLS side have been criticized for their secrecy around his health, which has also affected the clubs’ tickets sold to fans as well.
Futballnews understand Inter Miami manager Tata Martino is not ready to give out details about the Argentine’s injury so as not to give opponents a head start.
The Argentine returned to training on Friday but was not listed in Inter Miami’s starting XI and did not make substitutes bench in the game.
Lionel Messi has been a great addition to the team since joining as a free agent from PSG. He scored 11 goals in 11 games for the club with 8 assists before joining Argentina for international break where he picked up an injury that has limited his appearance and contribution to the team.
Inter Miami are chasing one of the nine MLS Cup playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami will be hoping the 2022 World Cup star comes back quickly as they are currently five points behind the final playoff spot, which is occupied by NYCFC.
Speaking on the injury Martino said: “You’re talking about the best player in the world, and I have to divulge something that could modify our opponent’s game plan.”
“Why give that information if I can keep it to myself?” the Argentine coach concluded.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine footballer who was born on 24 June, 1987 and plays as a forward for MLS side Inter Miami and captains Argentina national team.
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 he was named in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team.
Lionel Messi most recently led Argentina to FIFA World Cup troohy in Qatar where he faced off with his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe in the final.
Messi Injury Update
Speaking on Messi’s injury, the coach said: “It was not prudent for him to play. Too risky, even for a few minutes. He will play in league games going forward, but will go game by game based on what the medical team tells us.”
“He’s doing better and better,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said after Saturday’s match.
“We are not going to take any risks,” Martino said as Inter Miami hopes of playoff got dashed on Saturday.
While Lionel Messi might not be returning soon and his injury status unknown, many fans will still turn up with hopes of seeing him play.
