Tata Martino refuses to confirm Lionel Messi will start for Inter Miami at New York Red Bulls – days after hinting he will be a substitute due to the team’s relentless run of games

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino did not provide any clear answers when asked by reporters at a press conference if Lionel Messi will make his Major League Soccer debut this weekend during an away match at the New York Red Bulls.

During an incredibly busy period for the club – in which they won their first ever trophy, the Leagues Cup – Messi has played in every game and has started most of them.

The Argentine just arrived at the end of July after playing a full club season with Paris Saint-Germain in France.

Speaking in Spanish, Martino said, ‘We’re going to se the training session this afternoon; I’ll talk to most of the [the squad] and we’ll see how to assemble the team.’

It’s been a whirlwind start to his time in the United States for Lionel Messi – who was thrown into the thick of things with Leagues Cup play. 

Martino and Messi helped win Inter Miami’s first ever piece of silverware: the Leagues Cup

After that month, following a whole French league campaign, will Messi be missing in MLS?

The Argentinian maestro did not disappoint – bagging ten goals throughout the tournament, winning the top player award, and winning Inter Miami its first ever trophy.

Just days later, he notched another victory onto his belt – helping Inter Miami progress to the US Open Cup final after defeating FC Cincinnati.

But Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls would mark Messi’s first match in MLS play – and likely his first away trip to the New York area.

That’s sent ticket prices skyrocketing – with the get-in-the-door price sitting at $318 as of 3:45pm ET on Friday, according to SeatGeek.

But whether or not Messi will play remains to be seen. As of Friday, it was up in the air. The greatest football player of all time needs rest, but will it come in his first game in the biggest city in the nation?