Inter Miami team news: Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing against NYCFC?

The Herons take on New York City FC in MLS and are without a number of key players due to injury.

William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Mar 30th, 2024 19:29 EDT0

RICH STORRYAFP

Inter Miami look to return to winning ways in MLS with a tricky trip to New York City FC on Saturday. The Herons were outplayed by New York Red Bulls last weekend and need a much improved performance against their city rivals.

Follow the live action of the game between Inter Miami and New York City FC on AS.com.

Last week Tata Martino was without a number of key players due to international call-ups, further complicating a precarious injury situation. The Herons are without young stars Facundo Farias and Benjamin Cremaschi due to long-term injuries and Lionel Messi is still missing.

Here’s the confirmed Inter Miami starting XI to face NYCFC…

Los 11 que defenderán nuestros colores 💗#MIAvNYC | 7:30PM ET | 📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/OQGkX5pzJ3 pic.twitter.com/l2tcSm03xG

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 30, 2024

Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami?

Above all else, the fitness of Lionel Messi appears to be the deciding factor for Inter Miami’s success in 2024. The difference between their records with and without their Argentine talisman could hardly be more stark but the veteran superstar can no longer be relied upon to play every week.

Messi is still dealing with an “overload in his right hamstring” that saw him taken off early in the CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Nashville SC. He has not featured since that goal-scoring performance on 13 March and was forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad over the recent international break.

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Lionel Messi’s fitness remains a key factor for the Herons.Steve RobertsUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Speaking to reporters recently Martino confirmed that Messi is making good progress: “He’s recovering, he’s been out on the pitch for a few days, he’s improving day by day so we’re keeping an eye on his progress. It’s still too early, we have to wait at least next week.”

Inter Miami missing key players

He may be the most high-profile, but Lionel Messi is far from the only absentee for Inter Miami. The Herons have been with Facundo Farias, Benjamin Cremaschi and Robbie Robinson since the start of the season but a few recent additions to the Chase Stadium medical room have complicated matters further.