The Herons star may miss the forthcoming international window because Martino prefers to take no risks.
According to Argentine sports newspaper Diario Olé, the Herons talisman may miss out due to a right hamstring injury he sustained during Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph over Nashville SC.
The same injury kept him out of their Saturday triumph over D.C. United, where Luis Suarez came off the bench and scored a brace.
Tata Martino, on the other hand, provided an update on Messi following the game, and it looks that the Herons’ manager wishes not to take a risk on his return.
“We’ll continuously evaluate what he’s doing. The objective is for him to arrive and be able to play in the quarterfinals of Concacaf Champions Cup. We don’t want to take a risk,” Martino said.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Argentina will play two international friendlies in March, against El Salvador and the Nigeria national team, on the 21st and 26th, respectively. The Herons, on the other hand, will continue to play throughout the international break because MLS does not stop during the FIFA window.
Martino’s comments indicated that Miami wants their Argentine superstar to be prepared for their CONCACAF Champions Cup match against CF Monterrey on Tuesday, April 2. Until then, it’s unclear if he’ll be playing on the international stage next week or recovering on the training field.
WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?
It will be his decision whether or not to play for Argentina, as well as whether or not to travel with his squad, even if he does not participate. The Herons urge him to rest and focus on his health, but may the temptation to represent his country again be too strong?
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