How will Inter Miami cope without Lionel Messi? ‘Fight’ message sent to MLS rivals as Herons lose talismanic captain to Copa America

The Herons are aware that they could be without their talismanic captain for up to five matches as he heads off on international duty with Argentina. His final game at domestic level for the foreseeable future saw more history made by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in a thrilling 3-3 draw with St Louis City.

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Inter Miami are determined to keep themselves in MLS Cup contention while Messi is occupied elsewhere, with Alba saying of how those left behind in Florida will face that challenge: “Knowing the player that he is for us, it's hard, but the team will continue to compete as much as possible, and that will be noticed. It's an important absence for us, but we hope he does well in Copa America, we hope he has a great tournament and joins us again when it's time. If that's after the final, well - but in the meantime, the team will continue to fight and play.”

The 2024 Copa America will run from June 20 to July 14, with Inter Miami also aware that players may be called away to the Olympic Games in Paris. Tata Martino has said of Messi’s performance against St Louis and why he leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Chase Stadium: “In today's game, Leo was practically responsible next to Jordi for the participation of the attack. He was involved in the definition of strikes, he insisted throughout the game. He finished the game well - and now will do what has corresponded to him his whole life, which is play for Argentina.”

Inter Miami, who could also see star striker Luis Suarez called up for Copa duty by Uruguay, will be back in action next Saturday when taking in a trip to the Philadelphia Union. They remain top of the MLS Eastern Conference for now, but have played two games more than FC Cincinnati – who are only two points off the pace.