Lionel Messi ready to play 90 minutes for Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake in MLS season-opener, says coach Tata Martino
- Messi’s injuries put fans of the Herons on edge ahead of their first match
- But both Messi and star striker Luis Suarez will be good to go Wednesday
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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will be set to play a full 90 minute match in Major League Soccer’s season opener against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.
Messi had been plagued with injuries that de-railed the club’s preseason tour of Asia – prompting the cancellation of two Argentina friendlies in China.
But for the opening game of the season, Messi will be set to play the full match, according to Tata Martino.
Recent star signing striker Luis Suarez is available to play a full 90 as well, said Martino.
Inter Miami will be hoping to get their season off to a better start this year than the one prior.
After going 5-0-10 to start the season, the club fired coach Phil Neville and replaced him with Martino.
That summer, Messi arrived and the team found success in the form of a Leagues Cup title.
But they severely underperformed in the league – and the Messi of the Leagues Cup did not show up in MLS.
After managing ten goals in seven cup games, Messi only scored once in both MLS play and in US Open Cup action.
The club finished 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference and 27th out of 29 in the league overall.
