Messi trains with Inter Miami. Here’s the latest on his status for game vs. Philadelphia
Lionel Messi, who skipped Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a mild adductor injury, trained with his Inter Miami teammates on Tuesday morning as the FIFA international break was scheduled to end Tuesday night.
It is unknown if he participated in the entire practice or not, as reporters are permitted to watch only the first 15 minutes.
His status for Saturday’s MLS home game against Eastern Conference leader Philadelphia Union is unknown. There should be more clarity on Friday after coach Javier Mascherano addresses the media.
Inter Miami is set to face Los Angeles FC on the road in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals next Wednesday, and Mascherano has made it clear they will take no risks with Messi’s health, or any other player’s, especially this early in the year.
Messi played every preseason match and the first three games of the regular season but then missed three games in a row due to leg muscle strain. He returned in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Cavalier SC and played 90 minutes against Atlanta United.
Inter Miami was one of the two teams from the East that did not have a game during the FIFA break, so it dropped below the Union in the standings. Philadelphia has 12 points through five games and Miami has 10 points over four games.
Asked how much of a loss it would be for Inter Miami if Messi does not play, winger/forward Fafa Picault said: “Obviously, we’re much better with him than without him, but the group has to do whatever we can…He’s the type of leader that believes in our group, and we believe in our group.”
Four players were missing from Inter Miami training because they are away on international duty: Telasco Segovia (Venezuela), Noah Allen (Greece Under 21), Benja Cremaschi (USA U20) and Santiago Morales (USA U18).
Segovia started La Vinotinto’s World Cup qualifier at Ecuador on March 21 (a 2-1 loss) and is expected on the roster for the home game against Peru on Tuesday night. Allen was with the Greek U21 team for a friendly against Albania last Friday and another against Bulgaria Tuesday.
Cremaschi was in Albir, Spain and was the captain for the 3-0 win over Mexico in a friendly on Mar. 22. Morales was in Marbella, Spain and was captain for the friendly against Morocco, which ended in a 2-2 tie.
Allen Obando signs with Inter Miami
Inter Miami announced Tuesday the signing of 18-year-old Ecuadorian forward Allen Obando from Ecuadorian Serie A club Barcelona Sporting Club on loan through the end of the 2025 season, with an option to make the transfer permanent at the conclusion of the loan.
He will join the club pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
Also, Inter Miami traded $100,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $50,000 in 2026 GAM to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for Obando’s Discovery Priority.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue my career with a new challenge at a great club like Inter Miami,” said Obando. “I’m ready to get to work to continue growing as a player and help my teammates and the Club fight for our objectives this season.”
Obando made his professional debut when he was 16 years old. He has competed in the Copa Libertadores, made his debut for Ecuador’s senior national team and represented his country at the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament and the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM.