(Fort Lauderdale) Annoyed by a leg injury, Lionel Messi was not in the Inter Miami lineup for the US Cup final on Wednesday against the Houston Dynamo.
This is a fourth game away in recent weeks for Messi, including one with the Argentine side. Inter Miami will resume their fight for a playoff spot in MLS this weekend, and there’s no telling if Messi will be on the sidelines again.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner left in the first half of the September 20 match against Toronto FC and did not play in the 1-1 draw against Orlando City SC on Sunday.
Inter Miami trails New York City FC by five points, in last place qualifying for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The Florida team has two games in hand.
Head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino indicated earlier this week that no decision had been made on the use of Messi between now and the end of the season.
Messi participated in 12 games with Inter Miami in all competitions. He has 11 goals and eight assists.