Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has detailed what Argentina staff are telling the MLS club about Lionel Messi’s ongoing fitness issues.
The 37-year-old forward has been dealing with injury once again, with Messi missing Argentina’s last group stage match of the Copa America, with the attacker also not fully cleared yet to feature in tonight’s quarter-final tie against Ecuador.
With Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni being coy on how well Messi is doing despite being back in full training, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder’s fitness is being guarded under lock and key, much to the dismay of supporters.
Yet Martino has shared what Argentina officials are now telling Inter Miami about their captain.
Inter Miami getting constant updates on Messi’s fitness
Speaking to the press, Martino revealed that Inter Miami are in regular contact with Argentina’s kinesiologist over Messi’s ongoing hamstring injury, a medical professional who also works for the Herons.
With Messi struggling with injury problems all year despite his impressive form for Inter Miami this season, Argentina keeping the attacker as fit and healthy as possible will be huge for the Florida franchise.
Indeed, the reigning Copa America and FIFA World Cup holders are showing at the Copa America that they can win comfortably with having to rely on Messi’s attacking and creative genius.
And as a result, Argentina might opt to rest Messi for tonight’s game against Ecuador, a decision that could go a long way in Inter Miami getting their star forward back later this month fully fit.
Herons will hope Messi is rested as much as possible at the Copa America
It might be a selfish opinion to hold, but Inter Miami can be forgiven for wanting Messi to play as little as possible at the Copa America this summer given how many fitness issues the forward has had this year.
At 37-years-old, Messi’s body is simply not capable of playing multiple games a week, a factor that is already playing a part for the attacker at the Copa America with Argentina.
And heading into the knockout stages of the tournament, Inter Miami will want their star forward to feature as little as possible, with the upcoming Leagues Cup tournament something the Herons will want Messi fully fit for this summer.
