MLS
Inter Miami team news: Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing against Chicago Fire?
The Herons are looking to cement their place at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference but will have to do it without their captain.
Inter Miami can secure top spot heading into the Leagues Cup break with a win over Chicago Fire on Saturday evening. Despite the absence of Lionel Messi due to Copa América the Herons have enjoyed an imperious run of form and remain real MLS Cup contenders.
Messi, who is now recovering from an ankle ligament injury, will not play any part against Chicago. Miami assistant coach Javier Morales says the Herons are taking it “day by day” with his recovery.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Morales said: “Leo is ruled out of tomorrow’s game, he won’t be involved. We’re just going day by day, evaluating him with our medical staff and talking about what the best way forward is. The injury has only just happened and we’ll try to have better answers [for the media] soon.”
Luis Suárez is back in the starting XI after returning from international duty with Uruguay and will start for the Herons, meaning that Leonardo Campana drops to the bench. Here’s how Inter Miami will line up against Chicago...
Inter Miami confirmed team: Drake Callender - Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba - Yannick Bright, Matias Rojas, Federico Redondo - Robert Taylor, Luis Suárez, Julian Gressel
When will Lionel Messi return for Inter Miami?
Messi sustained the injury in Argentina’s Copa América final victory over Colombia last Sunday, the 37-year-old appearing visibly frustrated as he left the field at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen in tears on the bench, applying ice to a heavily swollen ankle.
Messi’s involvement in the Copa América has already seen the forward miss every Inter Miami game since their draw with St Louis City on June 1, although Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s men have enjoyed a good run of results in the star’s absence. Miami have won five out of six in MLS in that time, and sit top of the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings.
How to watch Inter Miami - Chicago Fire in MLS
Inter Miami host Chicago Fire on Saturday July 20, 2024, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT. Viewers in the United States can watch the game on MLS Season Pass, a subscription service on the streaming platform Apple TV.
Enjoy Miami vs Chicago on Season Pass.
When is Inter Miami’s next game?
The Herons’ Chicago clash is their final MLS fixture before the league’s mid-season pause. We’ll have the 2024 All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 24, followed by this summer’s Leagues Cup. Miami are the reigning champions of the MLS-Liga MX competition.
Drawn in Group East 3 with two Mexican teams, Miami begin their Leagues Cup defence against Puebla at Chase Stadium on Saturday July 27. They will then complete their first round with a clash against Tigres in Houston on Saturday August 3.
As it stands Messi looks likely to miss both the All-Star Game - in which MLS’ best players will face an all-Liga MX team in Columbus - and Miami’s Leagues Cup opener. So far they’ve coped surprisingly well with his absence, but how long will that good form last?