WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi could miss Inter Miami's away Major League Soccer clash against D.C. United on Saturday because of a hamstring tear.
Messi scored and provided an assist before he was forced off the pitch early in the second half of Inter Miami's 3-1 home win over Nashville in their CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 second leg on Wednesday.
The result handed the Florida outfit a 5-3 win on aggregate and set up a quarterfinal clash against an unconfirmed opponent over two legs on April 2 and 9.
"We didn't want to run a risk," Martino told reporters after the match. "We tried to see if he could go a little longer, but we preferred for him to get out of the game."
Inter Miami will train on Friday before traveling to Washington for the next day's match at Audi Field.
Messi is then expected to join Argentina's national team for friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States later this month.
"I would imagine for Saturday's match he won't be available," Martino said. "Looking ahead, we'll evaluate. He'll get some imaging done. And we'll see how it develops." ■
