If Inter Miami hopes to make an improbable push to the MLS playoffs, it won’t be able to count on Lionel Messi the entire way through.
Messi made a spectacular MLS debut on Saturday night against the New York Red Bulls, coming off the bench to score a late clincher in a 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena.
The win pushed Inter Miami off the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, but the club still has a mountain to climb as it sits 11 points off the final playoff spot in the East.
With Messi onboard, however, anything seems possible for the Herons. The Argentine star has led the team to a nine-game unbeaten run since his arrival, which has included a Leagues Cup title.
But speaking after the game against the Red Bulls, Inter head coach Tata Martino said that Messi would miss at least three of the club’s games down the stretch due to international duty.
“I firmly believe that it’s pivotal to appreciate the significance of this victory, as we must adapt to the reality that Leo will be joining his national team,” Martino said.
“He’ll miss at least three games this year and next year it will be the same, and we need to understand that when he’s not here the team still needs to provide results.”
Argentina will face Ecuador and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers on September 7 and 12, and will also have World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on October 12 and 17.
Inter Miami faces Sporting Kansas City at home on September 9, a game Messi looks certain to miss if he’s called up by Argentina. Inter Miami’s September 16 game at Atlanta United could be in question for Messi as well.
Inter Miami plays on October 7 against FC Cincinnati and then on October 18 and 21 against Charlotte FC, with Messi potentially missing one or more of those matches.
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