According to coach Tata Martino, captain Lionel Messi is not sure to play when Inter Miami plays Houston Dynamo in the US Cup final on September 28.
"It's difficult to give a percentage for Messi playing in the final because we have to evaluate the situation day by day," Martino said on September 25. "As I always say, I will listen to him first and see how he feels."
Martino also believes that risking Messi playing in the final, if he has not fully recovered, could pose a risk to the future of the striker himself as well as the Inter Miami team. Therefore, he and the club's medical team will have to consider all factors. "It is not an easy decision, but we will take enough time to try not to make mistakes," the Inter Miami coach added.
Messi shoots after being blocked by two Toronto FC players, before leaving the field during the match on September 20. Photo: USA Today
Messi suffered a fitness issue while playing for Argentina in early September. After returning to Inter Miami, the 36-year-old striker missed two games against Atlanta United and Orlando City, and played just 37 minutes against Toronto FC. After the match against Toronto FC, Martino confirmed that Messi was in pain and showing signs of overexertion.
Before returning to Argentina for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Messi played 11 matches in just over a month for Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals and assisting five, helping his new team win 10 matches and draw one, winning the Leagues Cup and reaching the final of the American Cup. The Leagues Cup was also Inter Miami's first title in five years.
In the three games without Messi, Inter Miami beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2, lost to Atlanta United 2-5 and drew Orlando City 1-1. In the match against Toronto FC, after Messi left early, the home team DRV PNK won 4-0.
Inter Miami will face Houston Dynamo in the Cup final, currently fourth in the MLS Western Conference. Inter Miami, meanwhile, are 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference. Messi and his teammates will have home advantage in the final on September 28. However, Houston Dynamo has the upper hand in the media, having won the MLS Cup twice in 2016 and 2017, and the Cup in 2018.
Thanh Quy (according to Goal )
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