Lionel Messi regains fitness but Inter Miami faces big challenge

Lionel Messi is fully recovered for Inter Miami even though the Herons have lost two more defenders to injury before their game with Tennessee SC on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Messi participated fully in Friday's workout as Miami prepared for their matchup with the Boys in Gold. 

But Jordi Alba and Serghiy Kryvtsov did not show up, and they are both out for the weekend. Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana both practiced with the team, but neither will be ready for the match, according to Goal.

The list of injuries sustained by Herons is extensive. Alba and Kryvtsov's additions bring the total number of injured players for the game to nine. Franco Negri will take over at left-back in place of the unavailable Spaniard, leaving their bench devoid of experience.

This weekend, Ryan Sailor will be the most seasoned player on the Miami sidelines, with four 22-year-olds in tow: adolescents Noah Allen and Benjamin Cremaschi, as well as backup goalkeeper Carlos Dos Santos, who is 23.

Despite four efforts, Nashville has not defeated the Herons in a competitive game since Messi's debut in July 2023.

Inter Miami and Nashville SC square off in an Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday night. Lionel Messi and company will be hoping for another triumph to maintain their league-leading position.