Lionel Messi is expected to feature against St Louis City before departing for the Copa America with Argentina.
- Messi declared fit
- Expected to play vs St Louis City
- Final game before Copa America
WHAT HAPPENED?
Both Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to feature in the upcoming clash against St Louis City this weekend. The fixture will be the final game the playmaker can feature in before he joins up with the Argentinian national team for the upcoming Copa America tournament.
WHAT MORALES SAID
Inter Miami’s assistant manager Javier Morales offered an update on Messi during Friday’s press conference, saying: “Everyone is optimum to play. Today we will train, and the coaching staff will watch players but there is no physical problem. Afterwards we will talk to the players but most of all Gerardo Martino will feel the game, and what it needs. But we will play the strongest team to conclude this part of the season strongly before the international window…But everyone is fit and wants to play.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi and Suarez both featured in the recent 3-1 loss to Atlanta United, with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star scoring the consolation goal on the evening.
Miami still sit at the top of the Eastern Conference, but their lead on Cincinnati is just one point. The Herons will now have to try and extend this gap without Messi, who could be away from the team until July 14.
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
After facing St Louis City, Messi will link up with his World Cup-winning team-mates for friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala. He will then embark on defending the Copa America title he won in 2021. Peru, Chile and Canada are the other teams that make up Group A. The first fixture in the group stages will be against Canada on June 21 and will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta.
