Lionel Messi & Inter Miami Warned of Two Major Hurdles that Threaten MLS Cup Contention

Last year, Lionel Messi arrived a bit late to help Inter Miami qualify for the MLS playoffs. Miami had lost most of their regular season games, which put its playoff hope in jeopardy before they signed Messi. Now, however, the Argentine and Co. started a fresh season, with Luis Suarez completing the star-studded roster. They had a good start to the season, beating Real Salt Lake 2-0. Many fans and pundits think the Herons are favorites to win the MLS Cup. Nonetheless, player-turned-pundit Steve Nicol says certain hurdles including player’s ‘fitness’ will haunt the club.

Speaking of fitness, Inter Miami is never free from worrying about key player injuries. Messi and Suarez missed crucial action during Miami’s pre-season. Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets’ ankle injury has upset Tata Martino’s plans again.

Injury-prone players and Messi’s Argentina duty could backfire on Inter Miami!

Inter Miami’s MLS prospects became the talking point in an ESPN FC episode that followed their opening-day win. Co-host Steve Nicol pitched in, saying Inter Miami will be the favorites if they qualify for the playoffs. However, he pointed out it won’t be a walk in the park for Messi and Co. to get there. “Honestly, it’s about fitness. Older European guys that come to the MLS, the one problem they have is staying fit, when they are over 30 or whatever. That’s all that Inter Miami has to worry about,” Nicol said.

Later, he also said Messi’s potential prolonged absence would also cost the David Beckham-owned side. “Now the problem is as well, you got Messi who is going to the Copa and if he also goes to the Olympics, he is to be away for two months,” the analyst added. Messi is expected to miss more than 7 games because of the Copa America. The count will go higher should he partake in the Olympics. Besides this, Inter Miami also deals with an imbalanced roster, despite housing seasoned star players.

Lack of depth and balance could also hamper the Herons’ prospects

Inter Miami undoubtedly has a solid offensive core with Messi and Suarez in the front and Busquets in the midfield. But the side’s defense is far from solid. Even though they have Jordi Alba at the flanks, Miami lacks an experienced center-back. They brought in Nicolas Freire to compensate for this. But Freire is yet to recover from an injury he sustained in October while playing for UNAM Pumas.

READ MORE: USMNT Legend Gives Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami a Mere ‘29.3%’ Chance of Winning MLS Cup After ‘Sloppy’ Start to Season

Miami’s defense is quite fragile as they conceded 13 goals from seven matches during the pre-season friendly tours. Anyhow, Tata Martino expects Freire to travel with the team for the next match, hopefully ending their defensive woes. Do you think Lionel Messi and his teammates will go all the way in this MLS season? Tell us in the comments.

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