Will Lionel Messi play again this season? Inter Miami boss Tata Martino delivers injury update as MLS play-off dreams fade

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been ruled out for the Florida-based franchise at the worst possible time, with a dip in results seeing their play-off dreams fade. A 4-1 defeat at the Chicago Fire last time out may have put the final nail in that coffin.

Messi is nursing an injury picked up while on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina in September, with no risks being taken on his fitness, but Tata Martino has said when asked if the all-time great will figure in any of Inter Miami’s final three games of the current campaign in America: “I think he’s getting closer to playing again. As we said, we’ll evaluate him tomorrow and Friday to see if he’s in condition [to play]. The most important thing is he’s leaving his injury behind and slowly discovering his best form… we’ll see what’s most convenient ahead of the next game. I suppose just like Barcelona in their moment, PSG [Paris Saint-Germain] in their moment, the Argentine national team in their moment, why wouldn’t we miss having the best player in the world? Even when we win, we miss him.”

Messi inspired Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in the United States, while also helping them to the U.S. Open Cup final, but Martino says acquiring the South American superstar was always part of a long-term plan. He added: “I always thought that these six months were to shape the club, and have an excellent 2024.”

Inter Miami may have to turn their attention towards next season, when Messi will be fully rested and recovered, as they have just three more games to take in this term and a five-point gap to try and bridge to the Eastern Conference play-off places.