Lionel Messi spent the last two weeks in International break, featuring for his national team Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers. He looked very happy and enjoying his time in the training with his Albiceleste teammates. In the first match against Ecuador, he left the pitch earlier in what seemed to be a knock and didn't feature in the Argentina's 23-men squad against Bolivia in the second match in the high-altitude stadium of La Paz. Messi returned to training of Inter Miami and featured in the training sessions of the MLS club ahead of returning to action. To know whether Lionel Messi will play in the MLS 2023 match against Atlanta United, read more.  Lionel Messi Buys $10.75 Million Mansion in Florida! Here’s a Glimpse of Argentina and Inter Miami Star’s Sprawling New Home in Fort Lauderdale (Watch Video).

Inter Miami is currently fighting to get in the top nine teams in the Eastern Conference MLS 2023 table and feature in the MLS playoff.  They are now in the 14th position in the table with 28 points and are 6 points off from DC United who are at the ninth position. But Inter Miami still has two games in hand and the kind of form they have displayed in the Leagues Cup 2023, they can back themselves for a realistic chance to make it to the playoffs.

Will Lionel Messi play today in Atlanta United vs Inter Miami, MLS 2023 Match? 

Inter Miami will face Atlanta United next in their MLS 2023 campaign at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.  Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino has comfirmed that Messi is fit but he wanted to wait until after the last training before the game to make a decision about the star's availability against Atlanta. It is unlikely that Messi will be featuring in the starting XI of Inter Miami in this game and might come on from bench as Martino will prefer to not take any risks. The Best FIFA Awards 2023: Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmati Lead Nominations; Sacked Spain Women’s World Cup Winning Coach Jorge Vilda Left Out.

This is a big blow for Inter Miami as Messi has been doing the heavy lifting for the side since he entered the club. With Messi not there in the upcoming game, the onus will be on Josef Martínez and Robert Taylor to score goals.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2023 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).