FLORIDA’S FORT LAUDERDALE — Gerardo “Tata” Martino, head coach of Inter Miami CF, said on Friday that he doesn’t believe Lionel Messi suffered a major injury in Argentina’s opening World Cup qualifying victory against Ecuador on Thursday, but that he should find out more information soon about his star’s condition.

A minute into the 1-0 triumph, Messi scored on a signature free kick before leaving.

Martino remarked, “It doesn’t seem like anything significant.” “At least from the information we have, there are some signs of tiredness. Today, we shall learn more.

Messi asked to be substituted because he “felt something,” according to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni when questioned about his unusual exit before the game’s conclusion. Messi, though, claimed he was only “a little bit tired.”

Before Messi is expected to return to South Florida after the international break, Argentina must make the difficult journey to high-altitude Bolivia on Tuesday. Messi and many of his teammates will also miss Saturday’s home MLS match against Sporting Kansas City because they are all on duty with their respective nations.

Martino responded that he didn’t think Messi would return to Inter Miami rather than La Paz when asked about the potential.

As of right now, I wouldn’t venture to tell, Martino said. It’s still early. Today might be a crucial day in terms of that choice, but if he gets the chance to play against Bolivia, I doubt it.

Martino stated on Friday that he has been preparing for this game for weeks with a depleted team and is hoping some lesser-used players stand up.

Martino stated, “We are aware that this occurs on all squads. “Some players play a lot, while others play less, and both groups must take advantage of these kinds of opportunities.

“However, it’s also untrue that the game solely depends on these guys, who will play more today. Along with the others, they must put out their best effort. Since the new players arrived, we have been aware of these absences, so it comes as no surprise that we are now in this situation after 20 days.

The United States men’s national team has permitted goalkeeper Drake Callender to stay in South Florida and miss the team’s friendly against Uzbekistan in St. Louis, so Callender will be available for the match, which did come as a pleasant surprise earlier this week.

Before the USMNT’s match against Oman on Tuesday in Minnesota, he is anticipated to return.

And while Martino will undoubtedly be without a number of important players on Saturday, he is also anticipated to have Callender, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Kamal Miller, DeAndre Yedlin, and striker Leonardo Campana—all of whom played for Messi’s former club Barcelona—available for selection.

Facundo Faras, a recent young Argentine arrival who scored in Sunday’s 3-1 road victory over LAFC, and Tomás Avilés will likely also be in the starting 11.

“We have a very good team available to play Kansas City,” declared Martino. We anticipate to be able to keep going in this direction and close the gap to the playoffs with the same anticipation going into every game.

Inter Miami is currently in the 14th spot in the MLS Eastern Conference, five spots and eight points behind DC United, who is currently holding down the final MLS Cup Playoff spot.

The New York Red Bulls, who are now in 13th place and will not be playing this weekend, may come within one point of them with a victory over Sporting KC on Saturday. The Red Bulls have dropped three straight games, including a 2-0 loss to Miami late last month.

On Saturday, September 16, Miami will play against Atlanta United, and it might be difficult to envisage Messi starting that game just two or three days after his return to South Florida.