Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi injury update ahead of Inter Miami vs Orlando City FC

Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has provided a Lionel Messi injury update ahead of their Major League Soccer (MLS) clash against Orlando City FC. The Florida Derby is set to take place on Saturday, March 2.

Lionel Messi injury update ahead of Inter Miami vs Orlando City FC

Messi had suffered an injury during the pre-season and missed a couple of friendlies for the Herons. He then played a few minutes in each game as he developed his fitness. The Argentine, however, has played the entire 90 minutes of both of Inter Miami’s first two MLS games of the season.

The Herons beat Real Salt Lake 2-0, with Lionel Messi providing an assist before playing out a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy where he got a goal.

Having played both matches, fatigue is certainly starting to kick in for the 36-year-old. Ahead of their clash against Orlando FC, Martino provided a Lionel Messi injury update, saying (via Miami Herald):

“I feel that in these first two matches, we have relied on him [Messi] too much, which has caused him significant fatigue in both games.”

Going by this statement, it appears unlikely that Messi will play the entire 90 minutes against Orlando City FC. The Herons are set to play nine games in the next 28 days across competitions so Martino would look to manage the Argentine’s workload.

Also Read: Inter Miami vs Orlando City Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

MLS injury update: Inter Miami hit with Sergio Busquets injury blow

Lionel Messi isn’t the only Inter Miami who could be a doubt for the Orlando City clash as Sergio Busquets has also picked up an injury. The veteran midfielder suffered an injury during their penultimate club friendly against Vissel Kobe in Japan on February 6.

Busquets missed their final friendly against Newell’s Old Boys but played 174 minutes in their first two MLS games of the season.

The former Barcelona man recently spoke about his injury and said:

“It was difficult for me to get back to a good feeling on the field after the injury in Japan because I’m not 100 percent. I’m playing with pain.”

Hence, Busquets also might not feature for the entire game against Orlando City. Martino might have to turn to new signing Federico Redondo to replace the veteran midfielder.

Inter Miami have a few more injury issues as well. Franco Negri, Ian Fray, and Facundo Farias are all out due to long-term injuries, with Farias suffering an ACL injury. Benjamin Cremaschi is also out due to a sports hernia.

In some positive news, though, Serhiy Kryvstov is back from injury.