Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have had a solid start to the 2024 campaign, but still have work to do if they are to meet the lofty expectations set for them this season.
The Herons are top of the Eastern Conference with 27 points from 13 games, although the teams below them have games in hand.
Messi has been a huge part of the club’s early success, scoring key goals in important results. Additionally, with the Argentine missing due to injury for a few games so far, the club floundered in his absence.
With so many injury issues surrounding Messi’s on-field performances, The Sporting News takes a look at whether Messi will play in Inter Miami’s upcoming match.
MORE: See Inter Miami's full 2024 schedule here
Lionel Messi is confirmed as absent for this midweek match.
His participation was put in serious doubt on Tuesday after he was listed as questionable in the team’s injury report with an otherwise undisclosed leg issue, and reports on Wednesday morning claimed that Messi did not travel with the team to Orlando.
The 36-year-old may be feeling the effects of games in quick succession. He was involved as the Herons came from behind to beat Montreal 3-2 on Sunday, May 12 , although there were no immediate signs that he was struggling for fitness after that match, as he completed the full 90 minutes.
In all likelihood, this is simply to give the Argentine a rest for a midweek game before playing D.C. United at home on the weekend and a cross-country trip to Vancouver the following Saturday.
MORE: Are Inter Miami paying for taxing preseason with heavy injury list?
Inter Miami kicked off the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake on February 21, 2024. Their regular-season campaign will conclude on Decision Day on October 19, when they face New England Revolution.
* Lionel Messi did not participate
The 2024 Leagues Cup is scheduled to begin on July 26, running for a month while the MLS season pauses play.
The final will take place on August 25, after which MLS league play will resume. Inter Miami were drawn against two Mexican clubs in Tigres UNAL and Puebla for the group stage. The top two teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage, while the bottom side is eliminated.
The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, North and Central America’s continental club competition, began on February 6, but Inter Miami secured a bye through to the Round of 16 via their qualification as Leagues Cup champions.
Thus, Inter Miami’s first CCC matchup came against fellow MLS side Nashville SC, who they advanced past via a 5-3 aggregate score, drawing Liga MX giants Monterrey in the quarterfinals. They were beaten 5-2 on aggregate.
Inter Miami’s preseason began with matches against the El Salvador national team and FC Dallas before embarking on a tour of Asia in February.
They began with a game against the top players from the Hong Kong First Division at Hong Kong Stadium, where approximately 40,000 fans attended. Despite the absence of Messi and Suarez due to injury, Martino apologised to disappointed fans, emphasising the medical risks involved.
The tour continued on to Tokyo, where Inter faced J1 League champions Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium, featuring a special guest appearance by Andres Iniesta.
Following the Asia trip, Inter Miami returned home to host Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s boyhood club, in a friendly at Chase Stadium in Miami. That concluded the club’s preseason tour, readying them for the 2024 regular season.
Brad is a social content producer for The Sporting News
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