Lionel Messi could reportedly miss some time out ahead of the MLS All-Star game after picking up an injury with Argentina at the Copa America final.
The Inter Miami captain rolled his ankle on poorly laid turf that resulted in Messi coming off with a nasty-looking injury, leaving the attacker in tears as Argentina went on to win the Copa America 1-0 against Colombia.
With Messi’s injury record already quite worrying this year and Inter Miami in need of their star player returning, the 37-year-old attacker missing time off could play a big role in the Herons’ quest to win the Supporters’ Shield.
And there’s now some suggestion on if Messi will miss MLS All-Star weekend later this month.
Messi now a doubt for MLS All-Star week after Copa America injury
According to USA Today, there’s a strong chance that Messi could miss MLS All-Star week, with the Argentine also a doubt for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup defense, which kicks off later this month, as well.
Given how much soccer Messi played at the Copa America and how bad the forward’s ankle was looking, though, the Inter Miami captain sitting out these two events and getting as much rest as possible would be a smart idea.
As we know, MLS All-Star week is not a competitive fixture with any real tangible value, despite the grandiose nature of the fixture, whilst Leagues Cup won’t be as big a priority for Inter Miami this year given how improved their league form has been in 2023.
All of this to say, Messi’s fitness once again needs to become Inter Miami’s priority, and with only two MLS fixtures between now and the end of August, giving the club captain an extended break could be worth it in the long run for the Herons.
Inter Miami have to give Messi the time off needed to recover
With Inter Miami’s next massive MLS fixture taking place on August 25th against FC Cincinnati, there’s a realistic chance that the Herons could give Messi this entire period off to recover and relax after a long summer with Argentina.
As mentioned, MLS All-Star week is an event that Messi can gladly skip out on, with Leagues Cup this year nowhere near as important for Inter Miami as it was last year having just signed the Argentine.
With the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup realistic targets this season, keeping Messi fresh and fit for these two competitions will be key, and Inter Miami can afford to rest their captain until the huge tie with Cincinnati at the end of August.