Lionel Messi was not in Inter Miami’s beginning lineup for its match Saturday at Toronto, the next-to-last contest of the common season for the MLS Supporters Protect winners.
Additionally not within the beginning 11 for Inter Miami: fellow standouts and would-be starters Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and goalkeeper Drake Callender. All had been listed as reserves.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino indicated Friday that Messi’s workload can be a consideration now that the group has wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home-field benefit for everything of the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami will play its first playoff match at dwelling on Oct. 25.
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Inter Miami CF
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Messi is ready to report back to Argentina’s nationwide group within the coming days for World Cup qualifying matches on Oct. 10 and Oct. 15. That may determine to place his availability doubtful for Inter Miami’s regular-season finale at dwelling on Oct. 19 in opposition to New England.
Oscar Ustari — a teammate of Messi’s on the Argentina group that received Olympic gold in 2008 — was in aim in opposition to Toronto in Callender’s spot, making his debut with the membership. Ustari signed with Inter Miami final month.
Inter Miami entered Saturday in place to set the MLS single-season factors report with two wins in its ultimate two matches. The membership would end with 74 factors in that situation, yet another than the 73 that New England managed in 2021.
Messi entered Saturday with 17 targets in 17 MLS matches this season, together with two within the shield-clinching 3-2 win at Columbus on Wednesday.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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