Martino Provides Update on Messi’s Fitness Ahead of US Open Cup Final: “I Will Listen to Him”

• Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami's 1-1 draw against rivals Orlando City
• The Argentine left the game against Toronto in the 37th minute
• He faces a race to be fit for the US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo on Wednesday

Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami's last league game and faces a late fitness test to determine his availability for Wednesday's US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.

Messi returned from international duty with a fitness concern, forcing him to sit out Argentina's 3-0 win over Bolivia and his club's 5-2 loss to Atlanta United.

He walked out of the 4-0 win against Toronto in the 37th minute with an apparent injury and did not travel with the team for the derby against Orlando City.

The trio of Messi, Jordi Alba, who also limped off injured against Toronto, and Sergio Busquets missed the 1-1 draw against Orlando, the first time all three did not feature since they joined the club.

Argentina coach Scaloni provides update on Messi's availability for Bolivia clash

Football

Martino provides Messi update

Miami secured a valuable point on the road against their rivals in the absence of the former Barcelona trio, as David Ruiz got on the scoresheet for the away team.

Head coach Tata Martino, speaking after the game as quoted by Goal, provided an update on Messi's availability ahead of the US Open Cup final.

“It’s very difficult to give him a percentage because we have to take it day by day,” he said. “We’ll continue to evaluate him and, as I always say, I will listen to him first and see how he’s feeling. Then we’ll also need to evaluate future risks.

“It’s not an easy decision, but we’re going to take the right amount of time to try not to make a mistake.”

As noted by USA Today, Miami are five points behind the playoff spot with two games in hand but must first worry about the US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.

Inter Miami head coach Martino reveals when he had to tell Messi to relax

Football

Martino explains Messi's injury

Sports Brief reported that Tata Martino explained Messi's injury against Toronto and downplayed fears the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner suffered a muscle injury.

The head coach claimed it was a scar from a previous injury, the same that kept him out of the game against Bolivia. The former PSG star was spotted holding his hamstring during warm-up.

Messi worried fans with his gesture on the bench, which made fans think something serious could be wrong. He sighed in exhaustion after taking his seat.