Lionel Messi doubtful for Argentina clashes with El Salvador, Costa Rica
The 36-year-old remains as prolific as ever and has begun the 2024 season with five goals and two assists from five games for the Herons across MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.
Messi has had a direct hand in a goal in all of Inter Miami's matches so far this year, scoring one and setting up another for Luis Suarez in a 3-1 Champions Cup beating of Nashville on Thursday, which sealed a 5-3 aggregate win in the last 16.
However, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain winger was brought off on the 50-minute mark with an apparent leg injury, and head coach Tata Martino does not expect him to be fit for Saturday's MLS showdown with DC United.
«I don't want to take any risks but I imagine that he won't be available for Saturday's game. That's the only thing I can say about it now,» Martino told the press.
«We'll have some tests soon and we'll see how he feels. Leo has a muscle overload in his right leg. We don't want to take any kind of risk with him. We tried to see if he could last a little longer after half time, but it was bothering him, so we preferred to take him out of the game.
»We knew when the season started that Messi was not going to play all games. If he's not playing or we have to replace him, for me it's not just missing out any other player, he's the best player of all time."
As Inter Miami fans wait with bated breath to hear the latest on Messi's condition, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni will also be casting a watchful eye over the situation as the World Cup holders prepare for their return to friendly duty.
The Biancocelesti play
Read on sportsmole.co.uk
