Lionel Messi a doubt to make MLS debut Saturday - Martino - ESPN

Inter Miami manager Gerardo «Tata» Martino said Friday that Lionel Messi's availability for his potential MLS debut this weekend remains up in the air.

Inter Miami is currently in New York preparing for Saturday's contest against the New York Red Bulls, a game that will be the team's seventh in just 23 days.

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«We will assess further after this evening's training,» said Martino. «It is inevitable that we will not have him at some point.»

The 36-year-old Messi has played every minute of Miami's last six games and looked exhausted at times in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup semifinal win at FC Cincinnati, which went the maximum 120 minutes. Messi claimed two assists and converted the opening kick in the penalty shootout victory.

The team flew straight to New York from Ohio, and had a recovery session at the hotel after arriving on Thursday. They will have a light practice Friday at Red Bull Arena.

«This will happen at least three times this year, and next year more,» said Martino regarding a potential resting of Messi, either for an entire game or part of one. «We will have to find a solution.»

That solution won't be easy to come by, as the veteran manager has relied heavily on Messi since his arrival, with the World Cup winner exceeding all expectations thanks to 10 goals and three assists in eight appearances.

And with Miami currently at the bottom of the MLS' Eastern Conference — 14 points adrift of the final playoff spot — Martino surely knows he'll need to use Messi as much as possible the rest of the way.

The former Mexico national team and Barcelona coach insisted Friday he won't be distracted by the outside noise regarding the implications of benching his superstar.

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