Tata Martino 'optimistic' Lionel Messi will feature for Inter Miami against D.C. United after recovering from injury

After training both Thursday and Friday as a full participant with the Herons, Tata Martino is 'optimistic' that Messi will be a participant Saturday evening for Miami.

The Argentine missed Miami's midweek 0-0 draw with Orlando City after taking a knock the weekend prior.

"In the case of Wednesday (vs Orlando City), it was strictly the knock to the knee that left him out of the match," Martino said. "There was no intention of resting him. He was feeling well, but then suffered the injury and could not maneuver well with his leg, it bothered him. Yesterday, the injury still bothered him. Touch to the zone was bothersome.

"In general, we take into consideration his age and physique the way we do with every player. Obviously, age is a theme with Messi but everyone deals with physical wear or overload.

"When you play three games in a week and travel twice, we have to contemplate it and evaluate it when considering the formation of the team. But his absence in the game against Orlando was strictly due to injury."

Miami's attack struggled without their talisman Wednesday evening, even seeing Luis Suarez removed in the 61st minute in an attempt to try something different.

On the Uruguayan, though, Martino revealed Friday it was supposedly due to minutes-management, rather than the uninspriing attack he brought out.

"With Suárez, we spoke ahead of the game of limited minutes," Martino said. "Depending on how the game went, time management was a possibility. I didn't want to exhaust him considering the week ahead, so that's why we decided to opt for 60 minutes instead of the full 90. "He played well for the time he played, though. He felt comfortable and concluded well. He played at maximum velocity and had no inconveniences, he went deep and defended. Suárez is in normal condition to play."

Miami are 2-5-6 across all competitions since Messi arrived at South Beach in the summer of 2023. In comparison, with their star, they are 15-7-3 when he does feature (WDL).

The Herons take on D.C. United Saturday evening in an Eastern Conference clash. They'll look to bounce back from Wednesday evening's match and make it seven-straight matches unbeaten.