'Too risky' - Lionel Messi injury absence explained as Inter Miami boss Tata Martino issues 'game-by-game' fitness warning after U.S. Open Cup final disaster

• Inter Miami lose Open Cup final 2-1
• Messi misses out due to injury
• Martino says his fitness will be monitored

WHAT HAPPENED? After missing out on the Open Cup final Wednesday night due to injury, Messi will be evaluated throughout the remainder of the season on a weekly basis. Indeed, the risk was too high for him to be included against Houston Dynamo, with the Argentine watching on from the stands as his side suffered an agonising loss at DRV PNK Stadium.

WHAT THEY SAID: "It was not prudent for him to play," Martino said. "Too risky, even for a few minutes. He will play in league games going forward, but will go game by game based on what the medical team tells us.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The Herons played their fourth game without the Argentine since his arrival Stateside, agonisingly losing out 2-1 in the final. Messi had previously missed two matches due to international duty and then again this past week due to the same lingering injury issue. He was still present inside the stadium, though, watching Wednesday's match from the stands with his family.

IN TWO PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI? The Herons host New York City FC on September 30, with question marks remaining over whether Messi will have recovered in time to feature.