Lionel Messi questionable to play in Red Bulls matchup, MLS debut

Soccer

By Andrew Battifarano

August 26, 2023 | 12:33am

As Inter Miami CF gets ready to play the Red Bulls this weekend, it’s up in the air if Lionel Messi will actually touch the field.

As Miami re-starts its MLS regular season schedule, coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Friday the superstar might not play in the game Saturday at Red Bull Arena.

“We will assess further after this evening’s training,” Martino said, according to ESPN. “It is inevitable that we will not have him at some point.”

Since coming stateside to Miami, Messi has been better than advertised.

The Argentine, who won a World Cup at the end of last year, has scored or assisted on 13 goals this year in just eight games with Miami.

In his last time out, he recorded two assists, including one in the waning minutes of extra time in the second half of Miami’s matchup against FC Cincinnati in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal.

In penalty kicks, the 36-year-old used a cheeky stutter-step before chipping in a goal, which propelled Miami to a victory.

The team already has one trophy in hand since Messi entered the country as it won the Leagues Cup on the strength of his foot.

But when it comes to resting the superstar, Martino said it’s bound to happen at some point.

“This will happen at least three times this year, and next year more,” Martino said. “We will have to find a solution.”

The Red Bulls said they’re ready for Miami, whether Messi plays or not.

“Our preparation is solely focused around what we want to do. If that includes the best player in the world, maybe of all time, then we have a plan for that, or if he’s not included in the starting 11,” first-year Red Bulls head coach Troy Lesesne said earlier Friday.

“We’re going to focus on us and how we want to go about the way we want to play this match.” 

Some ticket prices for the event have soared over $3,000, and the Red Bulls have even beefed up security for the event.

But now it’s a question if Messi will play.