Lionel Messi has not played in four consecutive matches for Inter Miami, but the Argentine superstar could return to MLS before the end of the 2023 season.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was left out of the Florida team at the worst time, as his play-off dreams faded due to a decline in performance.
The 4-1 defeat against the Chicago Fire on the last day may have put the final nail in this coffin.
Messi is nursing an injury sustained during 2026 World Cup qualifying with Argentina in September. No risks are being taken over his fitness, but Tata Martino responded to the question of whether the player would feature in any of Inter Miami’s final three matches of the current campaign in America:
“ I think he’s close to playing again. As we said, we will evaluate him tomorrow and Friday to see if he is fit to play. The most important thing is that he leaves his injury behind him and gradually finds his best level… We will see what is most practical before the next match. I guess like FC Barcelona, PSG or the Argentine national team, why wouldn’t we miss the best player in the world? Even when we win, we miss him.
