Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami against Orlando City in MLS today?

The second “Clásico del Sol” of the season takes place on Wednesday night but Inter Miami will have to take on Orlando City without Lionel Messi. According to journalist Tom Bogert of The Athletic, the former Barcelona star hasn’t travelled with his teammates for the MLS Rivalry Week game at Inter & Co Stadium.

Messi fitness update: what injury does he have?

On Tuesday, Herons assistant coach Javier Morales revealed the Argentina captain had suffered a blow to the knee in the weekend win over Montreal and that his fitness would be assessed before the team’s final training session ahead of the match.

But Messi has failed to shake off the issue in time and he won’t be risked in the Florida derby, with a busy run of fixtures coming up before he goes off to the Copa América with the Argentinian national team in the middle of June.

After missing five games because of a muscle issue, the 36-year-old has taken part in seven consecutive matches (six in MLS) since making his return in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 tie against Monterrey. Inter Miami were beaten in that clash but were undefeated in those six domestic games, the last five of which they have won.

What is Inter Miami’s record this season without Messi?

Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team are flying high at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference and the overall table, with Messi’s 10 goals and 12 assists in only nine appearances having much to do with it.

Their record without him, however, leaves plenty to be desired.

Las Garzas are unbeaten in nine MLS fixtures (seven wins, two draws) with Messi in the team, but have won just once in four games without him, losing twice and drawing once. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s importance cannot be understated.