Yamal isn't Barca's new Messi - but comparisons are fair

Football on TV in India: Matches to watch & live stream

Follow GOAL's WhatsApp channel now!

Claim Your Exclusive 1xBet Promo Code 2024: 1GOALIN for ₹66,000

Post-Hayes Chelsea face fight to maintain WSL superiority

CR7 backed for sensational Man Utd return to ‘make amends’

CR7 sends out 'special message' to fans after missing ACL tie

Al-Nassr players 'afraid' of inviting Ronaldo's wrath

Lingard 'under police investigation' over deleted social post

Ronaldo sends message to Castro after Al-Nassr fire coach

📽️ | Who wins Ronaldo vs Messi 100m race? Speed simulator

French star happy to exact revenge on ‘very arrogant’ Martinez

Rashford & Garnacho batter Barnsley in crushing Carabao win

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Messi makes Inter Miami return</li><li>Argentinian back from ankle injury</li><li>Herons eyeing MLS Cup glory</li></ul><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="GOAL WhatsApp"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt867c2f6b843505e9/file.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;"><span class="affiliate-text">Follow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!</span></div><a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Join now</a></div><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Inter Miami won't take any risks with Lionel Messi despite 'always missing him' as Tata Martino hints at MLS rotation heading into Atlanta United & New York City FC games

Major League Soccer

New York City FC

Inter Miami CF

<p>The Argentina international made his return to action <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls/blt5e6352808b4f33ba" target="_blank">after two months out</a> on Saturday night as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-record-two-goals-assist-ankle-injury/blt1be949f47136e91e" target="_blank">starred in Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union</a>. Messi displayed no signs of rust, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/video-lionel-messi-brace-inter-miami-right-foot-assist-luis-suarez-returns-mls-injury/blt604c973455322166" target="_blank">scoring twice and providing an assist</a>, but Martino has confirmed he was "tired" after playing the entire match, which lasted 105 minutes. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi's return comes at a crucial point in the MLS calendar. The Herons are currently top of the Eastern Conference standings and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-cup/bltd66786e0a03baca1" target="_blank">are eyeing MLS Cup glory</a>. For now, the focus is on ensuring that their star player stays fit and isn't pushed too hard ahead of the playoffs, which begin on October 23.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Inter Miami face a busy run over the next few days which will require them to pay close attention to Messi's fitness. Martino's side take on Atlanta United on Wednesday before they head to New York for a clash against NYCFC on Saturday.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>"Leo is fine, he ended the game well. Tired, obviously," Martino said. "It's the first 90 minutes in a long time, but it ended very well. He is going to travel to both games. He is available but there are three games this week with travel included, so we have to see it day by day.</p><p>"Wherever he is, he will surely always be missed. So, obviously, we are very happy to be able to have him back in the team. We didn't replace him individually because individually they cannot be replaced, but we have tried to ensure that collectively the team acquires a physiognomy that makes it reliable and I think that within what we have done it seems to me that it turned out quite well."</p>

WHAT MARTINO SAID

<p>Messi and Co will be in action on Wednesday night against Atlanta, but they will be without the injured David Martinez and Noah Allen and the suspended Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

Inter Miami won't take any risks with Lionel Messi despite 'always missing him' as Tata Martino hints at MLS rotation heading into Atlanta United & New York City FC games | Goal.com India

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi&apos;s minutes will be managed ahead of a busy period in the MLS schedule.

Inter Miami won&apos;t take any risks with Lionel Messi despite &apos;always missing him&apos; as Tata Martino hints at MLS rotation heading into Atlanta United &amp; New York City FC games