Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino expressed cautious optimism at Lionel Messi‘s return to the pitch ahead of the game against D.C. United on Saturday, before insisting no final decision will be made until training concludes.
“He trained well yesterday, and we hope today as well. We will determine his participation for Saturday’s game after training, but we’re optimistic,” said the coach.
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Messi failed to travel with Miami for the midweek game against Orlando City at Inter&co Stadium, after a clash with CF Montréal defender George Campbell last week left him in pain. Though initially considered a precaution, Martino revealed the decision to sideline Messi stemmed from his left-knee injury instead of a premeditated choice to rest the 36-year-old due to physical exhaustion.
“In the case of Wednesday, it was strictly the knock to the knee that left him out of the match,” Martino said. “There was no intention of resting him. He was feeling well, but then suffered the injury and could not maneuver well with his leg, it bothered him. Yesterday, the injury still bothered him. Touch to the zone was bothersome.
“In general, we take into consideration his age and physique the way we do with every player. Obviously, age is a theme with Messi but everyone deals with physical wear or overload.
“When you play three games in a week and travel twice, we have to contemplate it and evaluate it when considering the formation of the team. But his absence in the game against Orlando was strictly due to injury.”
