Lionel Messi Out for Inter Miami in U.S. Open Cup Final vs. Dynamo With Injury

Inter Miami omitted Lionel Messi from the team sheet for Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo.

Miami manager Tata Martino said leading up to the game that Messi was dealing with a minor muscle injury in his leg. That the seven-time Ballon d'Or isn't available whatsoever for such a big match raises further questions.

Martino told reporters Tuesday the high stakes of the Open Cup final would be taken into account when it came to Messi's status.

"If it wasn't a final, we wouldn't take any risk, but because it is a final, there is a chance we take that risk," he said.

Messi has been nothing short of brilliant since signing with Inter Miami. He helped propel the club to a Leagues Cup title thanks to his 10 goals and four assists.

The 36-year-old's form has carried over into MLS matches. Through four appearances, he has scored one goal and assisted on two others.

Sooner or later, though, the star forward could simply run out of gas.

Messi last appeared for Paris Saint-Germain in a 3-2 loss to Clermont Foot on June 3. By late July, he was suiting up for Miami in the Leagues Cup. That's not much of a break for a player in his prime playing years, let alone one in his late 30s.

Inter Miami has five MLS matches left this season, and Martino indicated the team is expecting to have Messi back at some point.

"In reality, it doesn't occur to us that he wouldn't play the rest of the year," he said. "If we're here evaluating whether he can play tomorrow or not, in no way are we thinking that he might miss the rest of the league's games."

But Messi's absence against Houston will inevitably have some questioning if he can immediately get back into the squad for Saturday's clash with New York City FC.