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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Argentine superstar nursing a knock</li><li>Hoping to book post-season spot</li><li>Only international games in the autumn</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Explained: Why Lionel Messi is facing biggest break of his career as Inter Miami cling desperately to MLS play-off dream

As things stand, the Florida-based franchise have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/circus-continues-lionel-messi-inter-miami-another-final-tata-martino-worn-out-team-mls-play-offs/blt0f260ec4f1dfa8bc" target="_blank">a five-point gap to bridge</a> through five fixtures <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/fun-what-like-form-part-lionel-messi-circus-inter-miami-robert-taylor/blte2a49dcde03a05bb" target="_blank">in order to make the post-season</a>. They have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">savoured Leagues Cup glory</a> this season, but suffered defeat in the U.S. Open Cup final and have seen <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-et-inter-miami-superstar-getting-better-ganso-extraterrestrial-qualities-ballon-d-or/blt804757aa69acff64" target="_blank">talismanic captain Messi </a>sit out four of their last five games – with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/mistake-lionel-messi-injury-update-us-open-cup-final-inter-miami-tata-martino-houston-dynamo/blt56d22b955170183b" target="_blank">only 37 minutes played</a> by the iconic Argentine during that run.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Inter Miami hope that Messi can return to full fitness and keep them in the hunt for a historic MLS Cup triumph. If they fall short in that quest, then their 2023 campaign will come to a close on October 21. Messi may then be out of action until late February 2024 – when the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/watching-lionel-messi-more-expensive-cheapest-inter-miami-season-tickets-2024-82-per-cent-price-hike/blt7a0f48b7c5582749" target="_blank">next MLS season gets underway</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

He could figure for Argentina in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-update-2026-world-cup-plans-argentina-inter-miami-united-states-mexico-canada/bltf7e8c8bcdba5ba36" target="_blank">2026 World Cup qualifiers</a> against Uruguay and Brazil in November, but will still have a 95-day wait from the last of those fixtures through to February 24 – a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/watch-no-lionel-messi-no-party-inter-miami-fans-leaving-before-half-time-injured-toronto-fc/blt5cf6a88db7495991" target="_blank">potential start date for MLS</a> in 2024, according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2023/09/29/why-lionel-messi-could-be-facing-the-longest-break-of-his-pro-career/ " target="_blank">Forbes</a>. If he does not play in both games for the 2022 World Cup winners in the autumn, then a new record rest period for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be set.

DID YOU KNOW?

Only once has Messi gone more than 95 days without a game – taking in 99 match-less days with Barcelona at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. When it comes to enforced breaks through injury, he once sat out 87 days with a foot fracture while still in his teens. Inter Miami will be desperate to avoid making unwanted history for their superstar summer signing by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cant-miss-more-points-why-toronto-fc-expect-lionel-messi-rare-break-inter-miami-mls/bltef4e640c01caf43d" target="_blank">forcing their way into the play-off places</a> before the end of the regular season.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Explained: Why Lionel Messi is facing biggest break of his career as Inter Miami cling desperately to MLS play-off dream | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi is facing up to the longest break of his remarkable career, with Inter Miami still sweating on their involvement in the MLS play-offs.

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