Chelsea's owners are clueless! Poch exit could turn fans toxic

Gasperini's Atalanta: The world's best pound-for-pound team

Lookman & Atalanta teach Leverkusen's Invincibles a lesson

21 best signings of the 2023-24 season - ranked

Rashford & Henderson only have themselves to blame

Xavi saga proves Barca are Europe's most embarrassing club

Fernandes sends message to Kroos after icon announces retirement

Modric pays 'difficult' tribute to midfield partner Kroos

Kane misses out on another prize! Bayern star beaten to POTS

Ronaldo sends out 'proud' message after making Portugal squad

Transfers LIVE: Liverpool join race for Lille's Yoro

Vinicius backed to win 2024 Ballon d'Or ahead of Bellingham

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Argentine superstar has nursed knock</li><li>Seen limited game time as a result</li><li>Heading off with his country again</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>

Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami again in 2023? Tata Martino outlines plans for final two MLS games after play-off failure

Major League Soccer

Vancouver Whitecaps

Inter Miami CF

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner may have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/people-shocked-how-lionel-messi-stunned-florida-natives-inter-miami-david-beckham/blt002b41b1b3432d0b" target="_blank">already seen his 2023 campaign brought to a close</a> at club level. An unfortunate injury <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/shame-lionel-messi-injury-frustration-revealed-sergio-busquets-inter-miami-mls-play-off/blt9a2021b3b58c5140" target="_blank">picked up during his last trip away with the Argentina national team</a> has limited his involvement in MLS action over recent weeks.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/huge-controversy-lionel-messi-called-up-argentina-despite-missing-four-inter-miami-games-due-to-injury/blt63655dcf35c083d5" target="_blank">included in the latest Argentina squad</a> – despite his lack of game time – and they have two more 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru fast approaching. The second of those fixtures is not due to take place until October 17.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Inter Miami will be back in action against Charlotte FC on October 18, before facing the same opponents in their final regular season fixture three days later. Messi would not be back for the first of those games if he stays with the Argentina squad, and would be struggling for the second. Martino has said of his plans for two games that have become dead rubbers: “Yes, we have two games left, but the work begins now for next season. We made good roster moves and progress over the summer, and we have to be very precise over the next few months about how we will approach next season.”

WHAT THEY SAID

If Messi’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/explained-how-lionel-messi-paid-price-inter-miami-exceed-expectations-tata-martino/blt4f78131af6f61ade" target="_blank">domestic campaign has come to a close</a>, then he faces a long break through to the start of the 2024 MLS season. Argentina do have more qualifiers to come in November, while Inter Miami are expected to line up friendly dates, but the all-time great is going to have plenty of time in which to focus on returning to full match fitness - <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/explained-why-lionel-messi-loan-transfer-barcelona-wont-happen-mls-inter-miami/blt547f7fcd84cf51f1" target="_blank">if no loan transfer is agreed in January</a>.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami again in 2023? Tata Martino outlines plans for final two MLS games after play-off failure | Goal.com

Tata Martino says “the work begins now for next season” at Inter Miami, with it unclear whether further risks will be taken on Lionel Messi’s fitness.

Editors' Picks