Inter Miami will be without star player Lionel Messi when they face off against Orlando City in Sunday’s Florida derby.
Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba both left the pitch the first half of Wednesday’s 4-0 triumph over Toronto.
Both players were instantaneously ruled out of the match against Orlando by head coach Tata Martino, a former Barcelona coach.
ALSO READ: Lionel Messi claims best player, top scorer awards as he leads Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory
Martino had earlier confirmed that Messi is coping with some old scars, adding that Alba has “muscle fatigue.”
The Argentine coach stated that while Messi’s problem is not serious, the Argentine cannot “play freely” in his present state.
“It’s bothers him. I don’t know if it hurts. I can’t really explain as it’s more a medical topic,” said the Martino.
Interestingly, Miami already won the Leagues Cup since Messi’s arrival, the club has a US Open Cup final against Houston on Wednesday and will hope to have the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner back for that game.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s victories over the past weeks has been a morale booster ahead of the team’s playoff hopes. It is important for the team to maintain the momentum or even do better as there are six matches left in the regular season.
To put it in context, if Inter Miami win all six matches, they will earn a place in the playoffs. This is irrespective of how teams above them perform.
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