Inter Miami fear losing Messi in the US National Cup final.

According to coach Tata Martino, Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi is not guaranteed to play when the team faces Houston Dynamo in the US National Cup final on September 28th.

"It's very difficult to give a percentage chance of Messi playing in the final, because we have to assess the situation day by day," Martino said on September 25. "As I always say, I will listen to him first and see how Messi feels."

Martino also stated that risking Messi playing in the final if he wasn't fully recovered could jeopardize the striker's future as well as that of the Inter Miami team. Therefore, he and the club's medical team will have to consider all factors. "It's not an easy decision, but we will take our time to try not to make any mistakes," the Inter Miami coach added.

Messi shoots the ball while being blocked by two Toronto FC players, before leaving the field during the match on September 20th. Photo: USA Today

Messi experienced fitness issues while playing for the Argentine national team in early September. After returning to Inter Miami, the 36-year-old striker missed two matches against Atlanta United and Orlando City, and only played 37 minutes against Toronto FC. Following the Toronto FC match, Martino confirmed that Messi was in pain and showing signs of overwork.

Before returning to Argentina to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Messi played 11 matches in just over a month for Inter Miami. During that time, he scored 11 goals and provided five assists, helping his new team win 10 matches and draw one, winning the Leagues Cup and reaching the final of the US National Cup. The Leagues Cup was also Inter Miami's first title after five years of establishment.

In the three matches without Messi, Inter Miami won against Sporting Kansas City 3-2, lost to Atlanta United 2-5, and drew with Orlando City 1-1. In the match against Toronto FC, after Messi left the field early, the home team at DRV PNK won 4-0.

Inter Miami's opponent in the National Cup final is Houston Dynamo, currently ranked fourth in the MLS Western Conference. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is ranked 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. In the final on September 28th, Messi and his teammates have the home advantage. However, Houston Dynamo has a significant media presence, having won the MLS championship twice (2016 and 2017) and the National Cup in 2018.

Thanh Quy (according to Goal )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/inter-miami-lo-mat-messi-o-chung-ket-cup-quoc-gia-my-4657327.html