Inter Miami has come out flying straight out of the gate this season. The Herons are currently on top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 10 points from 5 games. Despite the absence of some of their key players, the team has delivered to the expectations. Tata Martino’s men could be in for their strenuous challenge this Saturday as they take on the New York Red Bulls in their 6th fixture. However, the team seems to have a massive boost heading into the fixture. Why? Because of one man, Lionel Messi!

The Inter Miami skipper was absent from the traveling squad against DC United last week. According to reports, Messi picked up a knock during the CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville and had to spend some time on the sidelines to recover. But it seems like the player might be raring to go, with the Argentine talisman spotted during the team’s training session earlier today at the DNV x PNK Stadium. Now, while La Pulga might be back in town, the Herons could still be forced to field their second string with multiple first-team names absent from the squad owing to injuries and international commitments.

Prominent soccer reporter Michelle Kaufman took to her X account last night as she commented on Inter Miami’s player status for the game against New York Red Bulls. Despite returning to the team’s training session, Lionel Messi’s availability is still uncertain, with the medical staff not willing to take any risk with their marquee star. If Messi does not play, he will join the likes of Benjamin Cremaschi, Facundo Farias, Robbie Robinson, Ian Fray, Franco Negri, Louis Campagna, and Nicloas Freire, who are absent from the squad because of their respective injuries.

Meanwhile, Drake Callender, alongside Diego Gomez, Federico Redondo, David Ruiz, Shanyder Borgelin, and Israel Boatwright are unavailable for the coming weeks, with the six players currently on international duty. The long list of absentees could force Tata Martino to dig deep into his reserve strength and Inter Miami look to maintain their position at the top of the points table.

What could Inter Miami’s lineup look like against NY Red Bulls without Lionel Messi?

The ongoing international string of fixtures has undoubtedly brought a new headache for Tata Martino. Miami is already struggling with multiple injuries, and losing six players to national commitments is a massive miss for the Herons. However, the team has sufficient quality in their ranks to take them through in the coming weeks. With Drake Callender absent from the playing eleven, CJ Dos Santos could get the nod to start between the sticks. Meanwhile, Jordi Alba is also expected to return to the back line alongside Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, and Sergiy Kryvtsov.

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The midfield seems to have taken the biggest hit, with four first-choice players out of action against New York. Sergio Busquets will once again be in charge of holding down the midfield alongside Santiago Morales and Lawson Sunderland. Luis Suarez after his second-half cameo against DC United could start this Saturday flanked by Robert Taylor and Julian Gressel. Do you think Inter Miami can get the better of NY Red Bulls with his lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

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