Jordi Alba, who will not play, was also not on the bus. But it was already determined Alba, who is dealing with an unspecified injury, would not be likely to play.
Maybe, if Messi shows up at any point, he’ll enter the game off the bench.
But as it looks now, Messi might not even be on the bench when Inter Miami takes the pitch in the U.S. Open Cup final.
Could Messi start the Open final and leave early? Could Messi come off the bench as a late substitute? Or does he play at all?
The only reason Messi’s availability is in question is because of Inter Miami’s pursuit of another title.
If it was just another match, Messi would not likely play, Martino said Tuesday.
“We’re talking about Leo: We have risk all the time, and we have to lower that risk,” Martino said.
“If it wasn’t a final, we wouldn’t take any risk. But because it is a final, there is a chance we take that risk.”
Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Orlando City last Sunday, which followed his action in the Toronto match.
Messi did not travel with Inter Miami for its 5-2 loss at Atlanta United on Sept. 16 after returning from the Argentina national team.
Messi also missed the second of two games with Argentina, a 3-0 win over Bolivia on Sept. 12, to rest.
After winning the Leagues Cup final last month, Inter Miami could add a second title to its franchise’s history.
Messi helped deliver Inter Miami’s first title in dynamic fashion, helping the club beat Nashville SC 1-1 (10-9 in penalty kicks) in the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19.
Messi scored in the 23rd minute, and Inter Miami outdueled Nashville in the penalty stage to win their first title since inception in 2020.
David Beckham hugged his wife, Victoria, and fellow Inter Miami co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas in the stands as their vision for Messi in Miami came to fruition just seven matches into their experiment together.
After the Open final, Inter Miami will turn its attention back to the MLS playoff race.
With five MLS matches remaining, Inter Miami has 32 points in the Eastern Conference standings.
Inter Miami is ranked 14th out of 15 teams, but is only five points away from the ninth and final playoff spot, where New York City FC sits with 37 points.
But the rest of Inter Miami’s matches and the rest of MLS are available to watch via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
