Sources: Miami will have Messi between friendlies

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida -- Captain Lionel Messi volition signifier portion of the Inter Miami CF squad to look Atlanta United FC connected Saturday nighttime astatine Chase Stadium, sources told ESPN, concisely leaving planetary work with Argentina nationalist to articulation his nine side.

Messi was called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the 2 affable matches of the October FIFA model against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, but successful a uncommon acceptable of circumstances helium beryllium capable to play successful Miami's second-to-last MLS lucifer of the regular season.

The skipper was not successful the squad for Argentina's archetypal crippled of the October model -- a 1-0 triumph implicit Venezuela connected Friday nighttime astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami -- with Scaloni revealing helium made the determination to permission Messi retired of the roster.

"I decided that Leo [Messi] would not play. We wanted to effort Lautaro [Martinez] and Julián [Álvarez] and had Jose Manuel Lopez connected the bench," Scaloni said aft Friday's game. "I thought it was a valid option. In the end, Flaco [Jose Manuel Lopez] couldn't participate the game, truthful he'll participate the adjacent one. But it was my decision, simply that."

Earlier successful the week, Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said helium would invited the accidental for Messi to play connected Saturday betwixt the 2 Argentina friendlies, but added helium did not cognize whether oregon not it was a possibility.

Inter Miami has qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs but continues to combat for a higher spot connected the Eastern Conference array to guarantee home-field vantage successful the postseason. The squad presently sits successful 3rd spot with 59 points successful 32 games. The Philadelphia Union person already clinched archetypal spot successful the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield rubric for the MLS squad with the astir regular-season points.

When asked if Messi would beryllium disposable to diagnostic successful the team's upcoming affable against Puerto Rico connected Oct. 14, Scaloni remained hopeful.

"Let's anticipation Messi tin beryllium determination connected Tuesday, we'll spot however things unfold successful the coming days," Scaloni said aft the triumph implicit Venezuela.

Argentina's lucifer against Puerto Rico connected Tuesday volition beryllium played astatine Chase Stadium aft it was relocated from Chicago this week.

Messi is tied with LAFC striker Denis Bouanga for astir goals successful MLS this play astatine 24, making the past 2 games of the play important for the 2025 Golden Boot race. Bouanga and LAFC play distant against Austin FC connected Sunday.