How many games will Inter Miami play without Messi?

The Inter Miami star will be rested this weekend against DC United and then will leave to report for duty with Argentina. How long will he be away?

Víctor Martín J.VictorMartJimAndy HallUpdate: Mar 14th, 2024 10:44 EDT0

RICH STORRYAFP

Inter Miami’s victory against Nashville certified their place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter finals, where they will face the winners of the tie between Monterrey and Cincinnati. Post-game, Tata Martino told reporters that the chances of Messi playing in Saturday’s against DC United are very low. The Qatar 2022 World Cup winner left the field after 50 minutes, replaced by Robert Taylor. Martino explained that Messi was taken off as a precaution after feeling discomfort to his right hamstring.

Nada nuevo que ver aquí 👏#MIAvNSH | 2-0 pic.twitter.com/XajI1sDtdC

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 14, 2024

Messi in need of a rest

It means that he will be rested for Saturday’s trip to DC United and won’t be available for the following game either as he will be on international duty with Argentina. Messi sat out the recent game against Montreal with a shin injury and now Inter Miami could be without their talismanic forward for three consecutive MLS matches.

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Los Herons podrían disputar hasta un total de ocho partidos en un lapso menor a 30 días con los calendarios de MLS y Concacaf Champions Cup.CHRIS ARJOONAFP

The decision to rest Messi comes from an excessive accumulation of playing time at the start of the campaign. The Asian tour, added to the frenetic start of the season in the United States, began to take its toll and reveal last year’s problems with minute management, which led to Leo’s forced absence in the most important part of the season.

Inter Miami's next fixtures

16 March DC United vs Inter Miami23 March New York Red Bulls vs Inter Miami

Absent for the DC United game, Messi’s next outing with Inter Miami won’t be until the end of the month. He is due to report for duty with Argentine next week, and take part in two friendlies in preparation for this summer’s Copa América which will be held in the United States. The World Cup winners are due to face El Salvador in Philadelphia on Friday 22 March then Costa Rica in Los Angeles on 26 March. It means that Messi will also miss the matchday 5 game against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday 23 March.