Lionel Messi ‘expected to RETURN for Inter Miami’s crucial MLS game vs. Toronto on Wednesday’ after missing defeat by Atlanta United with ‘muscle fatigue’

According to reports, Lionel Messi is expected to return for Inter Miami’s MLS match against Toronto on Wednesday evening.

The 36-year-old missed the team’s 5-2 loss in Atlanta on Saturday due to what coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino described as “muscle fatigue.”

The defeat further dented Miami’s hopes of reaching the playoffs, but Messi took full part in training on Tuesday ESPN report that the Argentina international will feature in the crucial MLS match.

Messi has not played for Miami since September 4 after going on international duty and missing both the loss in Atlanta and the team’s victory over Kansas City.

In a statement on Tuesday, Martino would not confirm whether Messi or Jordi Alba – who also missed the loss to Atlanta – would be available for the Canadian squad.

“Messi and Alba will train with the team today for the full session and then we will see if they are available to play and to what extent,” Martino said.

“From Wednesday we have six matches in eighteen days, that’s one match every three days, including the final of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“We have a lot of important games in a short time frame, and one of my responsibilities as a coach is to look after my players and help them make the tough decisions that give us the best chance to keep everyone healthy during this busy period. walk.’

Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference, seven points out of the playoff spots with six regular season games remaining.

Last weekend, thousands of fans were distraught after traveling across the country to see their hero play in Atlanta, only to find out he had stayed in Miami.

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will not confirm whether Messi or Jordi Alba will face Toronto

Ahead of the highly anticipated – and sold out – MLS match between Atlanta United and Inter Miami, thousands of pink Messi jerseys were on display in the stadium, but their favorite player was nowhere to be seen.

DailyMail.com spoke to fans outside the 73,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium who had traveled thousands of miles in an attempt to see Messi in person, only to find out he will be playing his first MLS match since joining Inter Miami to miss.

One family drove 10 hours from South Florida at night to attend the game in Atlanta, even though most fans had paid hundreds of dollars for the privilege of a ticket.

Until Saturday morning, Messi was expected to at least play a role in the match, but then footage surfaced online of him watching his son’s football match for the Inter Miami academy.