Will Lionel Messi play against Newell’s Old Boys?

The start of the 2024 MLS season is now just a week away. Inter Miami get the ball rolling with a home fixture against Real Salt Lake, but the Herons’ preseason preparations have been far from ideal.

Their globe-trotting world tour garnered just one win in six matches and nearly sparked a diplomatic incident after Lionel Messi failed to appear in a Hong Kong friendly. The Argentine’s injury struggles have been a key talking point in the off-season, with Miami trying to build up his fitness without overworking the 36-year-old.

Inter Miami take on Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood team, on Thursday and Messi will play.

“For us, it’s important for him to get in as many minutes as possible ahead of the beginning of the league,” Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino confirmed. “So I’m able to confirm that he’ll start, because it’s what we’re trying to do in order to get him in the best shape possible before the 21st.”

Tata Martino is expected to name a full-strength side for the team’s final preseason friendly as he looks to build cohesion within his recently-assembled squad. The superstar frontline of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez has failed to deliver in 2024, but they will be aiming to click into gear just in time for the new season.

What is Lionel Messi’s injury?

Miami’s incredible 2023 renaissance was halted by an injury to Messi that kept him out of four crucial games down the stretch. Without his influence Miami failed to win a game and their playoff ambitions were dashed.

News that Messi was suffering another muscular issue during preseason will have sparked disquiet among Miami supporters, but Martino has offered reassurance.

He explained: “Leo had an inflammation in his adductor in the first game in Saudi Arabia [against Al Hilal], it wasn’t an injury that required stopping him completely or giving him special medical treatment. It was day-to-day. That’s why he played 10 minutes in the second game [in Saudi Arabia] and why he couldn’t play in Hong Kong.”

Martino continued: “That’s why he played a bit more in Japan and tomorrow he’ll likely get more minutes in and, if everything continues the same way, he’ll be in good shape for the beginning of the season.”

Inter Miami begin the 2024 season with some eye-catching MLS fixtures. After their opener against Real Salt Lake the Herons travel to the West coast to take on LA Galaxy, the former team of Miami co-owner David Beckham. Their third game sees them host rivals Orlando City in the first Turnpike Derby of the season.