Is Lionel Messi Playing Tonight for Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire After Horror Ankle Injury?

Inter Miami seems to have reached a ‘no Lionel Messi, no problem’ phase, as it is still topping the MLS table in the East. Last night, the Herons out-muscled Toronto FC 3-1, while captain Messi sat out nursing his twisted ankle. This Saturday, Miami faces the Chicago Fire in the Chase Stadium. With or without Messi, the hosts have an advantage against Chicago. But what fun is a Miami game without their main man? Fans everywhere are eager to know if the Argentine will grace the field on Saturday. No worries, we have you covered.

While Miami has learned to thrive in Messi’s absence, certain catastrophic losses like the 6-1 humbling against Cincinnati on July 6th prove that his presence is still somewhat vital to the Herons. Will the Herons again go to battle without the world champion? Here’s what we could gather.

The latest update on Lionel Messi’s availability against the Chicago Fire

When Lionel Messi twisted his ankle during Argentina’s triumphant Copa America final against Colombia, he tearfully looked at the bench. Who would have thought that the Argentina superstar is going to be a regular on the bench for a few more days? Yes, Inter Miami has indefinitely ruled out Leo Messi from their games on the back of the knock to his ankle. “After a medical evaluation, it has been determined that Leo Messi has suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle,” Inter Miami said in a statement.

In yet another dismal update for La Pulga’s fans, Miami coach Tata Martino confirmed that he will never take any risk of fielding the injured Leo Messi. “The club’s medical report came out and the new information is that: regarding when he could come back, he will be evaluated week by week, and we will see what his recovery is like, we won’t be taking any type of risk,” Martino said.

If the Herons’ entourage is going to evaluate Messi every week, fans will see him sit out in far more crucial games, including those in the coveted Leagues Cup.

Miami’s Leagues Cup defense under jeopardy, as Messi’s battle with injury sees no end

Last year, within a month of his arrival, Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win its first silverware-the Leagues Cup. Now, the Herons seek to defend the trophy, as the Leagues Cup kick-starts on July 27th with a Miami-Puebla tie. After that, Messi’s side will take on Tigres UANL on the same stage on August 3rd. A win in these two games is a must for the defending champions to go further in this Leagues Cup. From Martino’s statement on the weekly evaluation of Messi, it is quite clear that the Argentine talisman won’t be available for the Leagues Cup opener. Only time will tell if he will be available even in August.

We have never seen Messi, 37, battle these many injuries in a season. He has missed 12 Inter Miami games owing largely to injuries and partly to his national duty. But even while captaining Argentina, we have seen the star forward stumble in the Copa and sit out for Argentina’s final group game. During Argentina’s Copa campaign, Messi’s notorious hamstring woe came to haunt him again. Now, a twisted ankle. Let’s only hope that La Pulga recovers and battles less injuries in the twilight of his stellar career.