Inter Miami will be without its superstar once again after Lionel Messi was left out of the squad to face Chicago Fire Wednesday.

Messi has not featured for Miami since picking up a muscle problem in last month’s 4-0 win over Toronto, which forced him off after 37 minutes of the game.

However, the Herons were offered a glimmer of hope ahead of the crucial Chicago clash when the Argentine was seen carrying out individual sessions at Inter Miami’s training base on Tuesday.

Tata Martino has therefore been without his captain for their last three fixtures – and the team has paid the price.

 Lionel Messi was left out of Inter Miami’s matchday squad to face Chicago Fire Wednesday

Messi was seen carrying out individual sessions at Inter Miami’s training base on Tuesday 

Messi has missed Miami’s last three games after coming off injured against Toronto last month

As well as dropping four precious points in MLS fixtures against Orlando and New York, Miami also slumped to defeat at their own DRV PNK Stadium in last week’s US Open Cup final against Houston.

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Fans are longing for Messi to return as their bid to reach this season’s MLS playoffs heads towards its conclusion, with ninth-place Montreal currently four points away having played an extra game.

Messi’s absence not only comes as a blow to Miami but also to the Chicago Fire fans who had been hoping to get a glimpse of the soccer great in action. 

Earlier in the week, with no guarantee of the World Cup winner making an appearance, the Fire had offered up to $250 in credit to fans in a gesture of goodwill.

‘While we don’t yet know the official status of Lionel Messi’s availability for our match tomorrow…  we understand that many of our fans may be disappointed if they don’t get the chance to see him play,’ the club said in a statement.

‘To show our appreciation, the Chicago Fire will be offering a $250 account credit toward new memberships for the 2024 season – or a $50 account credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit – to all single-game ticket buyers who attend our match vs. Inter Miami regardless of which players are able to make an appearance on the pitch.’ 

The club told fans to expect a ‘surprise halftime performance’ and said that over 61,000 tickets had been distributed.

Some fans were previously seen leaving DRV PNK Stadium when Messi exited the 4-0 win vs. Toronto injured on September 20. 

More to follow.