Messi status still cloudy for Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United home game Saturday
Dark clouds and questions about Lionel Messi’s availability hung over Inter Miami’s training session Friday morning as the team prepared for its regular-season home finale Saturday against Atlanta United.
Messi has been with the Argentina national team all week, training at Inter Miami’s facilities ahead of a Friday night friendly against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium; but it remained uncertain as of Friday afternoon whether he would play in that game or sit out and play for his club team Saturday night against Atlanta.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni left the door open, saying Thursday that he would speak to Messi before making his lineup decision. He added that he planned to use this match and another against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium to evaluate less-experienced players.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was equally noncommittal when he was asked Friday morning if Messi would be available for the Atlanta game, an important match that could help Miami finish runner-up in the Eastern Conference with a victory.
“Leo is with the national team, along with Rodrigo [De Paul], since Monday, that’s all I can say,” Mascherano said.
When pressed as to whether Messi is discarded for the Atlanta game, Mascherano replied: “Leo is with the national team. The national team plays [Friday night]. That’s what we know.”
Mascherano said he had not spoken to Scaloni or Messi about the situation.
“I won’t say he can’t play Saturday, but he has been called up to play for Argentina, and they have a game against Venezuela,” the coach said. “If he doesn’t play [Friday] and if there’s a possibility he could play Saturday, I’d be delighted. Imagine being able to have Lionel Messi. But the reality is that he hasn’t been with us all week.”
He conceded that even if Messi missed all week of training with Miami, he would be ready. “Leo can play at any moment,” Mascherano said.
with 17 assists. He played the full 90 minutes in a seven-game stretch over 21 days in September and early October. As captain of the team, he is highly motivated to lift an MLS Cup, the only trophy left in Miami’s reach this season.
Miami sits in third place in the East after a 4-1 win over the New England Revolution last weekend, the team’s fourth victory in the past six matches.
With or without Messi, Inter Miami will be favored over Atlanta, which has just five wins in 32 games and is in 14th place in the Eastern conference. Atlanta has lost 15 of 16 road games this season.
Miguel Almiron (Paraguay) is among the Atlanta players missing for national team duty. Others are Luke Brennan (U20 World Cup), Ronald Hernadez (Venezuela), Enea Mihaj (Albania), Alexei Miranchuk (Russia), and Bartosz Slisa (Poland).
Miami players missing include Telasco Segovia (Venezuela), Noah Allen (Greece U21), and Mateo Silvetti (Argentina U20 World Cup). Fafa Picault was called up by the Haiti national team, but got permission to stay with Inter Miami during the FIFA window.
Miami starting centerback Maxi Falcon is unavailable, as he serves a one-game suspension for the accumulation of five yellow cards.
Saturday will be the last time Inter Miami fans can see former Barcelona legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in a home regular season game, as both announced their retirements in the past few weeks. The club hosted a tribute to Busquets after the New England game and another for Alba is scheduled for Saturday night.
argentina vs venezuela
argentina – venezuela
argentina vs
argentina national football team
argentina vs. venezuela
venezuela vs
argentine – venezuela
giovani lo celso
marcos senesi