Lionel Messi must be assessed on a weekly basis after a muscle injury caused him to miss back-to-back MLS games, says Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino.
Messi missed Miami’s 3-2 defeat to CF Montreal – their first loss of the MLS campaign – last week before returning to score in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Argentina great was then absent as Miami beat D.C. 3-1 at Audi Field on Saturday, with Luis Suarez coming off the bench to net twice for Martino’s team.
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He is due to link up with the Albiceleste squad for friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica over the international break, but Miami intend to keep a close eye on his condition.
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Martino said the Herons’ aim was to have Messi fit and firing by the time they face Monterrey in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final tie on April 3.
“Messi’s injury must be dealt with week by week, and we will evaluate it,” the former Barcelona boss said.
“What is clear is that there is a goal with him, which is to play in the CONCACAF quarter-finals.
“He has a muscle injury. The selection issue is for the people of the national team to talk about.”
Miami have 10 points after five games in MLS and sit top of the Eastern Conference standings, though the Columbus Crew are only behind them on goal difference and have a game in hand.
Weekend wins#DCUvMIA pic.twitter.com/xQrbzM5j3v
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 16, 2024
