Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has missed four of his club’s last five games, and he will not suit up on Wednesday night against Chicago Fire FC.
The team released their lineup for the game, and Messi is not starting, and is not listed as one of their available subs for the contest.
According to an update provided by the club Wednesday afternoon, Messi was officially “Questionable” to play as he deals with a scar tissue ailment.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Messi has scored 11 goals in 12 matches with Inter Miami this season, and the club is unbeaten in those contests, with an 8-0-4 record.
The Chicago Fire say that 61,000 tickets were distributed for the game. The club issued a statement this week offering ticket credit for fans due to the uncertain availability of Messi for the contest.
“To show our appreciation, the Chicago Fire will be offering a $250 account credit toward new memberships for the 2024 season – or a $50 account credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit – to all single-game ticket buyers who attend our match vs. Inter Miami, regardless of which players are able to make an appearance on the pitch,” the club said.
Both the Fire and Inter Miami are still battling for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is tied with Montreal for ninth in the conference, though they lose a tiebreaker to the Impact. Inter Miami is four points out of a playoff spot in the East.