Inter Miami coach urged MLS to change the schedule because of Messi
Since 1996, MLS has still taken place on occasions when national teams gather to compete according to the FIFA calendar (FIFA Days). But Martino thinks it's time for MLS organizers to analyze and find the best way to schedule the 2024 season to prevent these conflicts. "Maybe a solution will happen," he said on August 31.
According to British newspaper Sportmail, MLS needs to resolve a number of issues to be able to comply with the way the rest of world football operates. The point here is trying to find a balance to help MLS stay true to its identity without completely turning into a "European" league. At the same time, there are some regulations that the MLS regulates that don't make much sense.
With 18 of the 29 teams typically experiencing harsh winters, it makes sense for MLS to extend its schedule from March to December for areas of the country with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. On the contrary, what is unreasonable is that MLS still takes place during FIFA Days - the time when players join the national team.
Martino said that problem will be resolved next season, but it will affect Inter Miami at the end of this season, when Messi prepares to join Argentina for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
After joining Inter Miami as a guest of Los Angeles FC on the evening of September 3, Messi will join Argentina for two matches against Ecuador on September 7 and Bolivia on September 12. Thus, the 36-year-old striker certainly missed the Inter Miami match against Sporting Kansas City on the evening of September 9, and only returned for the match against Atlanta United on September 16.
A similar problem occurred in October, when Argentina played the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay on October 12 and Peru on October 17. Accordingly, Messi - if in best condition - can play Inter Miami's match against Cicinatti on the evening of October 7 and will almost certainly miss the match against Charlotte on October 18.
At the FIFA Days gathering in early September, besides Messi, Inter Miami also lost a number of other important players, according to the list of relevant national teams just announced. This number includes goalkeeper Drake Callender, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (USA), strikers Josef Martínez (Venezuela), Leonardo Campana (Ecuador), midfielder Serhiy Kryvtsov (Ukraine), midfielder Robert Taylor (Finland).
The lack of Messi in the final matches of the season greatly affects Inter Miami's ambition to win tickets to the MLS Playoffs - the knockout stage. The difference between Inter Miami and the seventh-placed team Nashville - the last place to attend the 1/8 Playoffs round is currently 17 points. The more feasible goal for Messi and his teammates is ninth place, which means the last spot in the round of 1/16 Playoffs. They are 10 points behind Chicago Fire, but have played two fewer matches.
In the 36th round of MLS on August 30, Messi broke the circuit of nine assists or scored when Inter Miami drew Nashville 0-0 at home. After the match, Martino complained that the team did not have enough practice time and was still adapting to his methods.
"I've worked with the team for two months, but really only really trained for 50-52 days. We still haven't had a full week of tactical practice. Playing a game in four days doesn't allow us to do that. I have enough time to practice and bond," said the Argentina coach.
