Inter Miami fans must be on cloud nine following the latest update on Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar has been out of action for a while. Despite returning to the team’s training last week, the club kept La Pulga off the trip to Vancouver angering the fans. However, Tata Martino seems to have heard the opinion as the manager confirmed the Argentine’s availability for the game.

Martino addressed the media following the team’s training session this morning. The Inter Miami head coach informed journalists both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will be in action this Thursday against Atlanta. The manager also added the duo could be available for the game against St. Louis on Sunday, but the final decision will be made after assessing their performance against Atlanta.

There were a lot of reports about Lionel Messi’s absence against Vancouver. It was suggested the Inter Miami team management was against having the player make the long flight to Canada. Miami’s game against Vancouver requires players to board a long 6.5-hour flight to Canada. With the game played on turf, the Herons decided it was better to rest Lionel Messi rather than play in the fixture. Fans haven’t taken lightly to these rumors, but their outrage hasn’t gone down well with MLS legend Herculez Gomez.

MLS icon questions fans for singling out Inter Miami over Lionel Messi’s absence

The Major League Soccer teams have done their best to capitalize on the Lionel Messi effect. Teams haven’t missed on the chance to advertise the Argentine during their home games, even going as far as to hike the ticket prices for games involving the Inter Miami skipper. This in return has frustrated fans anytime the Argentine does not show up. While fans continue to question Inter Miami, MLS icon Herculez Gomez believes the teams and the fans are responsible for the outrage.

Gomez stated, “What I’m not cool with is I’m getting sick and tired of other teams advertising Messi. ‘Come watch Messi score on us.’ The club can say we don’t have any control and when you do have control, it is not raising the prices in a way where it’s unaffordable and ridiculous and you look stupid if this happens. You have that control.”

The ex-MLS star added that Miami has the right to decide when and where they want Lionel Messi to play and MLS teams should not shift the blame to the Herons for Messi’s absence. What are your thoughts on the whole saga? Let us know in the comments below.