How many games will Inter Miami play without Messi?

Inter Miami’s victory against Nashville certified their place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter finals, where they will face the winners of the tie between Monterrey and Cincinnati. Post-game, Tata Martino told reporters that the chances of Messi playing in Saturday’s against DC United are very low. The Qatar 2022 World Cup winner left the field after 50 minutes, replaced by Robert Taylor. Martino explained that Messi was taken off as a precaution after feeling discomfort to his right hamstring.

Messi in need of a rest

It means that he will be rested for Saturday’s trip to DC United and won’t be available for the following game either as he will be on international duty with Argentina. Messi sat out the recent game against Montreal with a shin injury and now Inter Miami could be without their talismanic forward for three consecutive MLS matches.

The decision to rest Messi comes from an excessive accumulation of playing time at the start of the campaign. The Asian tour, added to the frenetic start of the season in the United States, began to take its toll and reveal last year’s problems with minute management, which led to Leo’s forced absence in the most important part of the season.

Absent for the DC United game, Messi’s next outing with Inter Miami won’t be until the end of the month. He is due to report for duty with Argentine next week, and take part in two friendlies in preparation for this summer’s Copa América which will be held in the United States. The World Cup winners are due to face El Salvador in Philadelphia on Friday 22 March then Costa Rica in Los Angeles on 26 March. It means that Messi will also miss the matchday 5 game against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday 23 March.

Messi will be away for a couple of weeks on international duty with Argentina. The forward will continue to train and should take part in both friendly games with Scaloni’s team, although on this occasion, he won’t suffer the same travel fatigue as he did last year in the South American qualifiers as both friendlies will be held in the United States - effectively reducing the amount of air miles Miami’s greatest star might have clocked if they were played elsewhere.

With a whole year full of demanding competitions and dozens of goals set for Leo, a good rapport and understanding between Inter Miami and the AFA is essential to make the 36-year-old forward’s schedule more bearable. Carefully monitoring playing time and prevention of discomfort will be key so that both teams can enjoy the best from him.