Lionel Messi is unlikely to play another game this season

Inter Miami coach, Tata Martino, has revealed that Lionel Messi is unlikely to play in MLS this season after the club missed out on the playoffs.

Miami has nothing left to play for this year after failing to qualify for the post-season playoffs, with a 1-0 loss at home to Cincinnati earlier this month effectively ending their campaign.

Messi could only play for 35 minutes from the bench as his debut MLS season ended in disappointment.

He missed their previous four matches after sustaining a muscle problem in September’s 4-0 win at Toronto, including the US Open Cup final loss to Houston Dynamo.

With two regular-season MLS fixtures left to be played, Miami coach Martino has suggested Messi will play no part in them to avoid any risks.

Messi will not play against Charlotte at DRV PNK Stadium after he appeared and scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru recently.

Miami’s last game of the season will be played against the same opposition in North Carolina this weekend.

Martino said: “We will evaluate not only Leo, but all players who are with their national teams when they return Thursday, as we are out of the playoffs, and we don’t want to run any risks.”