Tata Martino has signaled that Inter Miami will be active with plans for the upcoming season, though it remains unclear how many new risks will be considered regarding Lionel Messi. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might have already closed his 2023 club campaign, hampered by an injury sustained during a recent international trip with Argentina that has kept him from participating fully in MLS in recent weeks. Despite his limited playing time, Messi remains in Argentina’s squad as the team prepares for a pair of 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay and Peru. The second of those matches is scheduled to be played on October 17, with all eyes on how these fixtures might influence Messi’s availability for Inter Miami in the coming weeks.
Inter Miami is set to resume league action on October 18 when they visit Charlotte FC, followed by a rematch against the same opponent just three days later in what will be the final regular-season game. If Messi remains with the national team, he would miss the first of those games and could face restrictions for the second, depending on scheduling and the national team calendar. Martino has opted for a pragmatic approach to the remaining fixtures, highlighting a shift in focus toward the next season. He stated that the team has already made solid roster moves during the summer and that precision in planning will guide the club through the months ahead as they transition into 2024.
As Messi’s club season winds down, a longer period of rest will follow before the start of the 2024 MLS campaign. Argentina still has additional qualifying matches in November, while Inter Miami is expected to arrange friendlies to maintain competitive sharpness. For Messi, this stretch offers a crucial window to regain full fitness and form in the event there are no complications related to a January lease transfer. The broader context involves balancing the demands of international duty with club commitments, a challenge that both Messi and Inter Miami will navigate as they chart a path back to peak performance for the new MLS season. The club and player will likely weigh fitness, readiness, and the value of competitive matches in the coming months as they map out a sustainable schedule that supports long-term success in North American competition and in international qualifiers.