Messi will start the next match in MLS

"I think Messi and Sergio Busquets need to rest in the last match, against New York. If there are no problems, Messi will start tomorrow," Martino said on August 29 at a press conference before the match against Nashville.

In the 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls in the 35th round of MLS on August 27, Messi and Busquets started on the bench, before making a substitution from the 60th minute. Mr. Martino admitted the Argentine star needed rest after the series. seven consecutive matches. Despite only being on the field for more than 30 minutes, Messi still left a mark with the goal to set the score 2-0 in his MLS debut.

Tomorrow morning, August 31, Messi will play his first match at DRV PNK's home field in the MLS framework, against Nashville. This is the opponent he helped Inter Miami beat in the Leagues Cup final with a score of 10-9 in the penalty shootout, after drawing 1-1 in 90 minutes.

Inter Miami is at the bottom of the Eastern MLS table, 11 points behind the MLS Cup Playoffs with 11 games left in the season. The MLS Cup Playoffs is a Cup-based tournament, taking place at the end of the annual MLS season with the participation of the top 18 teams in the Eastern and Western groups. Inter Miami's top goal for the rest of the MLS season is to qualify for the tournament.

One problem Inter Miami faces is that they could lose Messi in two national team gatherings, September 4-12 and October 10-17. Coach Martino estimates Messi will miss three games because he has to play for Argentina.

"We have to get used to being without Messi. He will miss at least three games. Messi will be called up for the national team and during that time we need to keep winning," the coach said. 60 years old said.

Argentina will meet Ecuador and Bolivia in the South American World Cup qualifiers on September 7 and September 12, respectively, while Miami plays two matches on September 3 and September 16. Messi is also likely to miss the match against Charlotte FC on October 18.

Besides Messi, Martino is at risk of missing 11 players for the match against Sporting Kansas, in which pillars such as DeAndre Yedlin (USA), Kamal Miller (Canada) or Serhiy Kryvtsov (Ukraine). Martino believes the 2024 season will be less stressful for him as MLS is planning to adjust the schedule to be compatible with the FIFA calendar.

"I know they're working on the schedule for next year. It's almost certain that MLS 2024 will have a more consistent schedule with the FIFA calendar," he said.