Tipwin
Olympic Sports
News, Blog and GuidesInter Miami head coach Tata Martino outlined his plans for the Argentine ahead of the MLS season opener next week.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Feb 14th, 2024 18:54 EST0
ISSEI KATOREUTERS
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.”
Martes de entrenamiento ✅🔜 #InterMiamiCF vs @Newells pic.twitter.com/jDNuR6AFqG
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 13, 2024
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.”
