Argentine icon nursing untimely knock

Herons reluctant to take risks on fitness
May yet figure in trip to the capital

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Herons are due to be back in MLS action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Washington. There are serious fears that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi will not be involved in that contest after picking up an untimely knock in a CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Nashville.

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NEXT MATCH

Major League Soccer
DC UNITED
17 Mar 202401:00
INTER MIAMI CF

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Tata Martino has suggested that Messi will not be risked for a visit to the U.S. capital, but Alba is refusing to rule his former Barcelona team-mate out. Inter Miami cannot afford to lose the Argentine superstar on a long-term basis, but are also aware of how important he is to collective efforts in each passing fixture.

WHAT ALBA SAID ABOUT MESSI

Alba has told AS when discussing Messi’s fitness: “I guess Leo noticed something. He always wants to play and to help the team, but we’ll see what the results say. I don’t know much about what happened, but we will soon know more. I hope it’s nothing and that he can help us in Saturday’s game and in the next one, he’s a fundamental player for us, and were know it. He gives so much to all the players, and he makes us better, it’s a huge help to have him in our team and we hope this injury is nothing serious.”

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

If Messi misses out against D.C. United, then he will not be seen again by Inter Miami until the end of a month and a meeting with New York City on March 30 – with the talismanic 36-year-old set to sit out a visit to NYC to face the Red Bulls on March 23 as he will be on international duty.