Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said no decision on Lionel Messi’s status for the U.S. Open Cup final will be made before Wednesday.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is shown during the first half against Toronto FC on Sept. 20, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“It’s a handicap when you don’t have the best player in the world,” Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets said.The nature of Messi’s leg problem remains unclear. Fatigue was originally cited for Messi’s absences, and Martino eventually said last week that the problem stems from scar tissue from a previous injury. Messi was seen stretching at times during the Sept. 20 match, as if to indicate he was having some sort of muscular issue.
Inter Miami is still very much alive in the race to make Major League Soccer’s playoffs and has three matches looming in the coming days. The team plays host to New York City FC on Saturday,and returns home to face FC Cincinnati on Oct. 7. Inter Miami has lost only once in 15 matches since Messi first appeared for the club, winning nine and tying five.
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