Lionel Messi injury: Inter Miami star not expected to play at D.C. United

The Argentina superstar grabbed a goal and an assist in the first half and was taken off early in the second

There is wonder around Lionel Messi's status ahead of their next match at D.C. United as he was withdrawn in the 50th minute of Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 second leg on Wednesday. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said after the game that he had a mild leg injury that was bothering him a bit and was taken off as a precaution, according to The Miami Herald. Martino went on to say that he imagines he'll be out for this weekend's game. 

Things were level heading into this second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, but when you are Messi and Luis Suarez, that can change quickly, a lesson that Nashville SC learned. Messi, Suarez and Robert Taylor found the back of the net for the Herons as without Walker Zimmerman, who was absent due to injury, Nashville struggled to offer any defensive resistance. They would get a consolation goal via Sam Surridge but when Messi and Suarez both assist and score a goal the Herons will be tough to stop and they're now marching into the last eight.

Here's Messi's goal:

Now all eyes shift to Saturday when Inter Miami face D.C. with Messi's status all but confirmed that he will sit this one out. As for the Champions Cup, Inter will face either FC Cincinnati or Monterrey in the quarters. The Mexican side hold a 1-0 lead after the first leg with the second leg set for Thursday night.

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[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Inter Miami 3, Nashville SC 1 (FT)

[Mar 13, 2024 at 10:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Now the Nashville consolation goal comes

Sam Surridge was able to work his way behind the Miami defense but it won't be enough with only stoppage time to go.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:55 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Goal chalked off for Nashville

Hany Mukhtar had the ball in the back of the net but after a VAR review, it was chalked off.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

More changes

Noah Allen is entering for Sergiy Kryvtsov as Inter Miami are getting more players experience at this stage of the match.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:39 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Suarez shows his creativity

It's an inch-perfect pass from Suarez as he sets up Robert Taylor for a header where Willis couldn't save it. This officially feels out of reach for Nashville SC.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:33 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Why did Messi exit?

Martino said that his absence was a precaution against Montreal and that he could've played if needed but leaving in the 50th minute of this match, it feels like more is up than Martino is letting on because if Miami does concede two goals, this will go to extra time and Messi's absence would loom large there.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Messi is off

Robert Taylor has entered in the 50th minute of play as with Miami already ahead by two goals, especially with another game during the weekend against D.C. United.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 9:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Almost halftime

Nashville has no coordinated shape at the moment but they did rattle the woodwork with a warning. We seem set to head to the half with Maimi leading 2-0 but a Nashville goal at this stage would be awesome.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The Heron faithful are in full song

There's a lot to sing about when you're ahead 2-0 after only 30 minutes with goals from Messi and Suarez. This has now ballooned to 4-2 on aggregate.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:41 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Messi scores for Miami

The assister has become the scorer and the Herons are off and running now with two goals in 24 minutes. Diego Gomez got the assist on this one and it's really going to get out of hand soon.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:36 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Nashville had a chance 

But they couldn't put it on the frame. It feels like only a matter of time until Miami gets their second so something will need to change 21 minutes into the match.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Messi to Suarez, goal

The absence of Zimmerman showed as Miami had far too much space to operate in. It doesn't matter what side of the pond you're on, the Messi to Suarez connection is automatic.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:21 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Off the wall

That free kick won't end up in the back of the net but Miami does look comfortable kicking the ball around early. Without Walker Zimmerman who didn't make the Nashville squad due to injury, there is plenty of space for the Herons to operate in the early going.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A free kick outside the box

It was close to a penalty as Godoy brought down Messi and you know what that means, free kick time at home.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

We're underway!

Time to see who will make it to the last eight of the tournament. As things stand, even a scoreless draw would be enough for Inter Miami to advance.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:05 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

A team can only hope to contain Lionel Messi as away goals prove pivotal while the Herons are able to push for a draw and advancement to the last eight of the Champions Cup. Pick: Inter Miami 1, Nashville SC 1

[Mar 13, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Nashville SC storylines

They had Miami in the first half at home, and Gary Smith must have been disappointed to allow two away goals to the Herons, Nashville can also draw confidence from the performance. Hany Mukhtar had just returned from an injury which now has had more time to heal while Jacob Shaffelburg had turned in one of the most impressive performances that he has had in a Nashville shirt. They'll want to start the match quickly to try and level things out on away goals, but this is a game that Nashville can win.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 7:57 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Inter Miami storylines

The Herons may be undefeated with Messi and Suarez in the XI, but that doesn't mean that there isn't some concern stemming from the Montreal performance they missed. Federico Redondo could've been red carded for throwing unnecessary elbows and the team conceded two goals from set plays, continuing their struggles from last season. Nashville is a team that can hurt you in transition, and then with targets for free kicks and corners, if Miami continues their fouling, it could lead to more goals conceded from dead ball scenarios.

[Mar 13, 2024 at 7:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Nashville changes things up a little

With technically three outside backs in the XI, Gary Smith could have some balance issues but the defensive midfielders are all able to track back.

Starters: Willis, Lovitz, Washington, MacNaughton, Moore, Davis, Godoy, Shaffelburg, Mukhtar, Muyl, Boyd

[Mar 13, 2024 at 7:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

As expected for Miami 

Messi returns to the squad for the Herons as Robert Taylor drops to the bench but no real surprises here.

Starters: Callender, Gressel, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Freire, Alba, Redondo, Busquets, Gomez, Messi, Suarez

[Mar 13, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Wednesday, March 13 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Chase Stadium -- Fort Lauderdale
• TV: FS2  | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
• Odds: Inter Miami -220; Draw +330; Nashville +490 

[Mar 13, 2024 at 7:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

This Champions Cup clash is going to be quite a moment. Miami will return to a back three which they struggled to defense with against Montreal but it could be to match formations with Nashville SC. After missing out during the weekend, Messi returns to the starting XI while Robert Taylor drops to the bench.