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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Martino says Messi will play</li><li>Miami only have MLS games</li><li>Jordi Alba to miss Nashville game</li></ul>

Will Lionel Messi be wrapped in cotton wool? Inter Miami boss Tata Martino reveals plans for Argentina superstar ahead of Copa America

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

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Martino said he expects Messi to stay in the starting lineup despite the summer tournament fast approaching. The former Barcelona manager cited his side's elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup as a reason, with less rotation needed given the lighter schedule. However, he did confirm that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-fitness-latest-inter-miami-two-new-players-injury-list-nashville-sc/bltad74245e532f2c91" target="_blank">Jordi Alba will miss Miami's clash with Nashville SC on Saturday with a muscle issue</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Miami currently sit in first place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 15 points from their opening nine games <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-lionel-messi-injury-signing-four-new-players-mls-superdraft-pick-yannick-bright-matchday-squad/bltd5d411c4b6148a07" target="_self">despite missing Messi for four of them</a>. Martino said he should have a full squad, bar Alba and Federico Redondo, from now until the Copa America and Olympics - the first of which kicks off on June 20 in the USA.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

On Messi, Martino said, as quoted by <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/39974739/no-special-messi-plan-alba-miss-two-games-inter-miami-boss" target="_blank">ESPN</a>: "There's nothing special right now with Messi. We will be playing games on the weekends for the next few weeks, we just have one midweek game against Orlando City."We will evaluate those moments once the schedule begins to compress, but I don't think we need to analyze a special plan [for Messi] because he feels good. He's working well on a day-to-day basis, and at the pace we are going we will remain in the same way."Regarding Alba, he added: "Jordi suffered a muscle injury, he will miss this upcoming match and the next one. After that, we will begin evaluating on a game-by-game basis."

WHAT MARTINO SAID

Miami will look to stay top of the table with a home win against Nashville Saturday before a meeting with second-placed New York Red Bulls next week, who are only behind on goal difference but have played a game fewer. As for Messi, he will aim to get back to his best ahead of the Copa with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-completed-football-argentina-world-cup-win-2023-ballon-dor/blt2ef8bfdaf8f38dbc" target="_blank">Argentina gunning for a third major honour in a row following their World Cup triumph.</a>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND MIAMI?

Will Lionel Messi be wrapped in cotton wool? Inter Miami boss Tata Martino reveals plans for Argentina superstar ahead of Copa America | Goal.com

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino expects Lionel Messi to play in the lead up up to the Copa America with his side only left in one competition.