By Miguel Rapetti
Aug 30, 2023, 00:56 AM EDT
Major League Soccer (MLS) would be studying interrupting the tournament during the celebration of each FIFA date, in which players leave their clubs to join their national teams and compete in confederation tournaments or World Cup qualifiers.
According to recent statements at a press conference by the Inter Miami coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, the MLS would be thinking of implementing the pause on the FIFA dates to prevent stars like Lionel Messi from missing the competition to meet their national teams.
“I understand that for the following year they are analyzing it and that is likely to happen,” Martino said at a press conference prior to Wednesday’s game against Nashville.
The decision would be implemented for the 2024 season of the American tournament and would be made in favor of benefiting the teams affected by the departure of their stars.
In fact, Martino himself expects Messi to leave for the Argentine National Team at a key moment of the season, where recently against New York Red Bulls they got their first victory in the MLS in the last 10 games and the ninth consecutive victory since the start of the Leagues Cup, which they won against Nashville SC.
However, before playing the South American qualifiers with Argentina, Messi will play against his own Tennessee team and is emerging as a starter according to Martino himself, after having been a substitute against Red Bulls.
“The game that (Messi) needed to have a bit of recovery was last time in New York, the same as with Sergi Busquets so if there is no problem it will be from the game,” said Martino.
Inter Miami will seek a momentous victory against Nashville SC in their aspirations to continue climbing positions and achieve a place in the playoffs.
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