Will Lionel Messi be fit to play for Inter Miami in their next MLS game against Atlanta United?

The Argentina captain missed his country’s World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia because “he wasn’t feeling great”, according to coach Lionel Scaloni.

Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Sep 13th, 2023 04:46 EDT

SEAN M. HAFFEYAFP

Lionel Messi has played a lot of soccer since joining Inter Miami earlier this summer and it was Argentina who ultimately played the price, with their captain unable to take part in Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifying win away to Bolivia. Will David Beckham’s side also be deprived of his services when they play their next MLS game at Atlanta United?

The former Barcelona superstar made his debut for The Herons on 21 July in the first game of their triumphant Leagues Cup campaign and has since made 10 further appearances for his new club. His participation in his country’s victory against Ecuador last Thursday meant he had played 12 matches in 48 days ahead of La Albiceleste’s trip to La Paz.

Leo Messi was enjoying Argentina's 3-0 win vs. Bolivia from the bench 😄 pic.twitter.com/VYmQtCW78R

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 12, 2023

Is Messi carrying an injury?

Speculation had been rife about whether Messi would be forced to sit out the second of Argentina’s two matches after he had asked to come off following his match-winning strike versus the Ecuadorians. The 36-year-old underwent medical tests to determine whether or not he had suffered an injury, with the results suggesting he was suffering from muscle fatigue rather than anything more serious.

However, his fitness issues were enough to stop Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni from risking him against Bolivia, with Messi not even named amongst the substitutes. “He told me that he wasn’t feeling great and it didn’t make sense (for him to play). It would’ve been a difficult match to play in at high altitude. Risking him didn’t make any sense”, Scaloni reiterated.

Will the Inter Miami star play against Atlanta United?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t train with the rest of his teammates in the run-up to the match in La Paz, which Argentina won 3-0 without him, and now faces a race against time to prove his fitness to play in Inter Miami’s next match, an MLS away game at Atlanta United on Saturday 16 September.

Angel di Maria: “We are loved everywhere because we have the greatest player in the history of football” pic.twitter.com/K0KZB3CYyc

— ganesh🇦🇷 (@breathMessi21) September 13, 2023