Lionel Messi wasn’t even considered to play a few minutes of Inter Miami’s US Open Cup final, reveals coach Tata Martino – but he insists the star man will return soon for MLS playoffs bid

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino was unable to confirm when Lionel Messi will return to the team, after his scar tissue problem saw him miss the US Open Cup final loss to Houston Dynamo.

Messi watched from the stands at DRV PNK Stadium as Miami were beaten 2-1 by Houston Dynamo after failing to even make the substitute bench for the game.

Speaking after the loss, Martino could only assure fans that Messi, 36, will return before the Major League Soccer season is over. His absence on Wednesday means he has missed four of his last five games.

‘We will go match-by-match and see where the medical department can give us the okay.’

Lionel Messi watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost the US Open Cup final

Tata Martino told reporters he had to be careful with Messi but he hopes to have him back soon

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Martino said that his team have been feeling tiredness in recent weeks after playing so many games.

‘I saw a worn team, the consequence of so many matches,’ he said. ‘If this match went into extra time, the match Inter Miami has on Saturday would have to be played by the technical staff.

‘At some point we were going to see the consequences of so many games. We began to feel them on the side of the injuries and on the performance side.’ 

Miami plays New York City FC on Saturday night, the team that currently occupies the ninth and final place for the post-season playoffs.

Victory for Martino and his side is imperative if they are to make the post-season.