Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Tata Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi won’t be rested for the important Major League Soccer clash against LAFC on Sunday. The Argentine was rested for the match against New York Red Bulls (played 30 minutes after coming on as a sub) but returned to the starting XI against Nashville SC.

However, the talisman could not score in a goalless draw in the previous match, the first time he didn’t score for his new club.

“I don’t imagine in this very important match with the last champion that it is a match that Messi needs to rest up,” Martino told reporters. “The one we had to stop at was the Red Bulls team, he played 30 minutes, that’s how we did it this week and now tomorrow he’s going to play.”

Meanwhile, LAFC are second placed in the Western Conference standings and Inter Miami CF will have their work cut out against them.

“In my opinion, LAFC is one of the best teams in the league, it is the last champion,” he added. “Carlos [Vela] is a decisive player within the team structure and [Denis] Bouanga is also decisive, Illie is also decisive, they have a very solid central duo, and there is also a team that is supporting all the individualities, for us it will be a good measure and tomorrow’s game will be a great challenge.”

Inter Miami can’t afford to drop any points if they are to make it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Messi is expected to miss some crucial matches for the club as he is all set to join Argentina for national duty. The World champions will take on Ecuador and Bolivia in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers on September 8 and 13 respectively.