Inter Miami secured a big 4-0 win in their last match against Toronto FC nad stayed alive in the race to make it to the MLS 2023 playoffs. To enter the playoffs they have to finish in the top nine of the Eastern Conference points table. Currently they are five points off from 9th placed DC United with three matches in hand. That has given them a realistic chance to make it to the top nine despite being in the 14th position as of now. Lionel Messi returned from the International break early with some undisclosed fitness issues. He missed the Atlanta United match in which Inter Miami suffered a huge defeat and seemed like pushed behind in the race to the playoffs. Lionel Messi Aims for Copa America 2024 in Bid To Extend International Career.

Lionel Messi enjoyed a great run of form before he left for the International break to play for Argentina. He's already accumulated 11 goals and eight assists in 11 games and didn't look like stopping any time soon.  But the undisclosed injury in the International break broke his rhythm and the Argentina star had to leave the pitch against Toronto FC early in the first half. As Inter Miami resume their campaign in the MLS 2023 regular season, fans are eager to know whether Lionel Messi will feature against Orlando City. For detailed information, scroll down.

Will Lionel Messi play today Orlando City vs Inter Miami, MLS 2023 Match? 

Not a very good news for fans as according to Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino, neither of Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona partner Jordi Alba are likely to feature in Inter Miami's MLS 2023 encounter against Orlando City.  "Basically, Leo is still dealing with his old scar tissue, and Jordi with muscle pain," Martino said at a news conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday.  Reportedly, Messi is currently being handled very carefully by the Inter Miami management and monitored on a day-to-day basis.  Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba Subbed off Early From Inter Miami’s 4–0 Win Over Toronto FC, To Miss Next Game.

Although Inter Miami did fine without the services of Lionel Messi in the last game, Toronto FC are not a very strong outfit struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table. Orlando City is a string outfit sitting at the second position in the league table and on top of that, it is an away game for Inter Miami making it a different challenge altogether.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2023 08:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).