The 36-year-old Argentine captain has not recovered after tweaking a hamstring during Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last week. Messi, who was substituted just after half-time in the win over Nashville, missed Miami’s win over D.C. United in Washington on Saturday and now it seems Messi’s not expected to be in action for his club when they take on Red Bulls in New Jersey this upcoming weekend.
“The captain of Argentina, Lionel Messi, will not be able to be in the squad for the friendlies in USA due to a minor injury to the hamstring of his right leg suffered in his team’s match against Nashville SC,” the Argentine federation said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Clearly, the destiny of Inter Miami hinges significantly on Messi’s well-being and effectiveness. Across five matches this season, spanning both MLS fixtures and the Champions Cup, he has notched an impressive tally of five goals and two assists, showcasing a remarkable level of performance. It’s evident that the team is keen to avoid any potential setbacks that could jeopardize this momentum.
“It is clear that with him there is an objective that he can play in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. We’re not going to take any risks,” Martino said.
Supporters in New Jersey appear to be bracing themselves for potential letdown, given that the average ticket prices for an Inter Miami away game remain relatively affordable. Should the superstar indeed opt for rest, it’s anticipated that Jersey fans may have to wait until June. On June 25, Messi will be back in the Garden State when he plays for his home country, Argentina, who take the pitch against Chile in Copa America 2024 at MetLife Stadium.