Injury issues in Lionel Messi have caused a major predicament around Inter Miami a few days before the new MLS season commences. The reigning champions are currently in a state of uncertainty before the commencement of their first match with the Los Angeles FC.
Messi sustained a left hamstring injury in a pre-season match with Barcelona SC in Ecuador. He had scored in the 31 st minute but he limped off at the beginning of the second half. It was a draw 2-2, but what was of greater concern was his fitness. He has since that time not gone back to full training on tightness and pain.
Coach Javier Mascherano confessed that he is under daily observation over his condition. Messi is 38 years old and it is a year of a world cup, so his workload should be dealt with with care. Inter Miami will take part in three tournaments in the season. The issue of rushing him back may jeopardize a prolonged absence.
Messi provided 29 and 19 goals and assists last season. He was the second player in the history of MLS to make 48 goal contributions within a season, following Sebastian Giovinco. His impact in the team is huge. Miami can find it difficult without the first few weeks in his absence.
Hopefully he might come back in early March, and that might be the third game. Nevertheless, the club can opt to be more cautious rather than be fast. This stage of his career must have intelligent management of the muscle diseases.
To make the matter worse, new arrival Sergio Reguilon also tore his knee in the same game with a grade 2 injury. That adds more to the weakness of Miami on its left side.
Inter Miami still are good competitors. However, the opening match of the season is now an early examination of both depth and leadership of the squads without their largest star at a hundred percent.
