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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi 10 looks at a teammate after a failed scoring opportunity during the match between Toronto FC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: SEP 20 MLS, Fussball Herren, USA – Inter Miami CF vs Toronto FC EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230920050
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi 10 looks at a teammate after a failed scoring opportunity during the match between Toronto FC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: SEP 20 MLS, Fussball Herren, USA – Inter Miami CF vs Toronto FC EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230920050
Lionel Messi‘s emphatic debut season with Inter Miami is coming to an end. The Argentine, however, has been struggling to emulate his form that marked the start of his spell in Miami. On this note, Tata Martino has taken a firm decision regarding Messi’s involvement with the squad in the penultimate game of the season.
Inter Miami is not having a fairytale ending to the season, after securing just nine wins in the league and also failing to make the Playoffs. Lionel Messi played just one game out of the last six fixtures for Miami due to a sustained scar injury. The Argentine even had a lackluster performance in the CONMEBOL qualifying match against Paraguay.
Tata Martino reveals plans for Lionel Messi before the Charlotte game
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Martino plans to evaluate Messi’s current physical fitness before making a decision regarding his availability for the game against Charlotte FC. He has no intention of pushing for La Pulga’s presence in the team if his condition is found unsuited for the game. He emphasized that all players, not just Messi, coming back from international duty will be properly evaluated so as to not risk injury.
The gaffer remarked in the press conference, “We are going to evaluate not Leo but all footballers who are with their choice. When they arrive here on Thursday, we will evaluate them. We also have to see that we are out of any playoff possibility and that is the most convenient thing to do not take risk.”
It sounds like Lionel Messi’s first MLS season with Inter Miami is all but over.
Martino said Messi and all returning international players would be evaluated on Thursday, but that team would also not take any risks since there are no playoff chances.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/agsvGSP9L0
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) October 17, 2023
The Herons made history this campaign by securing their inaugural Leagues Cup and earning qualification for the US Open Cup.
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What’s next for Inter Miami in the upcoming season?
Soccer fans did not anticipate such a turnaround from the squad after they endured an 11-match losing streak. However, the likes of world-class signings, including Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, changed Inter Miami’s fortunes completely.
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NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 19: Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi 10 along with defender DeAndre Yedlin 2 and teammates prepare to lift the championship trophy during the Leagues Cup Final match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at GEODIS Park in Nashville, TN. Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: AUG 19 Leagues Cup Final – Nashville SC vs Inter Miami CF EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2308190088
Lionel Messi netted 11 goals in 13 games, and guided the team to their first piece of silverware. Consequently, Inter Miami will participate in the CONCACAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup for the upcoming season. The Herons are poised to make a comeback in the 2024 season after an abrupt ending to their playoff aspirations this season.
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