Lionel Messi’s injury is how bad? It might come down to what you believe, ultimately.
Messi was not dressed for the dramatic 1-1 draw between Inter Miami and New York City FC. In the game, the Herons equalized in stoppage time and came within a goal of winning it all with a late shot that hit the underside of the crossbar.
Messi was the main topic of conversation following the game, despite the chaotic conclusion to a contest that was delayed by storms in the area of DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi “sustained a 2 [centimeter] hamstring tear, confirmed via MRI, likely shutting him down for the remainder of the MLS season,” according to the Inter Miami Podcast, which is unrelated to the organization.
Head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino rejected the story as untrue following the game.
In his post-game press conference, Martino said, “Time will tell whether what I am saying is real or whether that guy who made the claim is right. “I claimed it was true. This will be observed from game to game.
“We are going to assess him. We’ll know if he’s going to sit on the bench or be [unavailable] whether it’s against FC Cincinnati or Chicago. Even though he is working on the field alone from the rest of the team, he is becoming better.
Messi has been observed working at least somewhat during Miami’s most recent training sessions, although it’s still unknown just how much he is capable of. Messi would return before the MLS season was through, according to Martino.
If Messi comes back, Miami may have some hope
The lone point was not really what Messi’s team needed as the regular season came to an end.
Miami actually ended the night one point closer to the top nine than it was when play began, despite the Eastern Conference playoff race being a sloppy, slippery mess. Only one of the seven clubs competing for the final two berths (the Chicago Fire) won on Saturday, and three other teams lost elsewhere.
Is that terrible news? The Herons are in ninth position, four points behind CF Montréal, who is ahead of D.C. United and the Fire on the basis of games won. There are only four games left, therefore there is absolutely no space for error.
What’s good? Miami has a game in hand over Montréal, Chicago, and two games over D.C., so it just needs a few slip-ups from teams who don’t seem capable of going on a winning streak for Miami to have a chance.
Martino remarked, “We have been playing a lot of games, and they are all decisive games, not just intellectually but physically. “Despite all the issues, we are aiming to win, and what we accomplished today was done with respect. Three months ago, when we first started, we were in last place, and these folks were able to get us up to where we are now. Great things are expected of us.
Miami has been fighting until the very end of a string of games that were tight, despite the club’s grueling schedule. The team’s draw with NYCFC was its fifth game in two weeks; in the following six days, that number will increase by two. The Herons will travel to Chicago to play the Fire on Wednesday before hosting Cincinnati on Saturday.