Lionel Messi injury update: Why Inter Miami star will not play vs. Orlando City
Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi will not play in Wednesday night’s road game against Orlando City SC due to a left leg injury.
Messi was excluded from Inter Miami’s startling lineup before the game. He did not make the trip to Orlando for the match and will be sidelined as a precaution.
Messi, 36, has five matches with Inter Miami remaining, including Wednesday night's match, before he joins Argentina for this summer’s Copa America 2024. Keeping him healthy is the highest priority for all parties involved.
Argentina is the defending World Cup and Copa America champion, and the tournament could be Messi’s last for his country to punctuate his storied career.
Messi appeared to hyperextend his legendary left leg during Inter Miami’s 3-2 win over CF Montreal last Saturday just before halftime. He finished the game, but was rusty, missing two free kicks and at least one attempt on goal.
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Messi participated in recovery workouts on Monday and Tuesday this week, along with many Inter Miami’s starters. He was not seen during a portion of practice open to reporters on Tuesday.
“He had a blow to his knee on Saturday. He was able to continue playing. In fact he finished the game, he put some ice on it. (On Monday) he trained with the guys who did some regenerative training. He (rode on a stationary) bike, a little bit of jogging on the field,” Inter Miami coach Javi Morales said on Tuesday.
“Let's see, we will try to evaluate everything, to see how they feel and who is ready for (Wednesday).”
Despite the Montreal match being Messi’s first this season without a goal or assist, Messi is second in MLS with 10 goals scored, and first with 12 assists for Inter Miami — first place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 27 points.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule
Inter Miami is in the midst of a Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday stretch. It’s unclear if Messi will play in Saturday’s home match against D.C. United.
∎Wednesday: Inter Miami at Orlando City, 7:30 p.m. ET
∎Saturday: Inter Miami vs. DC United, 7:30 p.m. ET
∎May 25: Inter Miami at Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m. ET
∎May 29: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
∎June 1: Inter Miami vs. St. Louis City, 7:30 p.m. ET
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi injury update: Will Messi play in Orlando? Here’s what we know
