Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi is unlikely to play in any more MLS matches for the rest of the 2023 season. 

The decision comes as Inter Miami failed to qualify for the playoffs, and their season effectively concluded with a 1-0 home loss to Cincinnati earlier this month.

Messi made a recovery from an injury to be available for that particular game, but only spent 35 minutes on the field that night. 

His inaugural MLS season ended in disappointment, as he had missed the preceding four matches due to a muscle injury sustained during a 4-0 victory over Toronto, which included a loss in the US Open Cup final to the Houston Dynamo.

With two remaining regular-season MLS matches, Coach Martino of Miami has indicated that his team captain, Messi, is unlikely to participate to prevent any potential risks.

Martino said, “We will evaluate not only Leo, but all players who are with their national teams when they return Thursday, as we are out of the playoffs, and we don’t want to run any risks.”

“We want to compete and it’s our obligation to finish the season the best we possibly can,” he furthered.