When is Inter Miami’s next MLS game after Chicago Fire defeat? Will Lionel Messi be fit to play?

Argentina captain Messi missed a fourth game in a row through injury at Soldier Field, with The Herons again struggling without him.

Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Bryan ArellanoBryxn_ARoddy ConsRoddyConsEstados UnidosUpdate: Oct 5th, 2023 01:32 EDT

MICHAEL REAVESAFP

Inter Miami’s 2023 MLS campaign has almost completely fizzled out after they suffered a painful 4-1 defeat at the hands of fellow Playoffs hopefuls Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. Lionel Messi sat out a fourth game in a row, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Maren Haile-Selassie in inspired form for the home side, each scoring twice.

Although The Herons created chances to score and briefly equalised through Josef Martínez’s penalty, they have failed to win any of the four matches their Argentine superstar has missed and now need a minor miracle to finish in the Eastern Conference’s top nine.

Tonight's final#CHIvMIA pic.twitter.com/pOQrdy84G4

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 5, 2023

Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati up next

The Florida side don’t have long to wait until their next MLS fixture comes around, which will see them host FC Cincinnati, Eastern Conference leaders and recently-crowned Supporters’ Shield winners as the best team in the United States. Anything other than a victory is likely to end their MLS Cup Playoffs hopes.

Since Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba arrived in Miami in the summer, Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side have been on a mission to ensure they continue playing beyond the regular season, which now looks doomed to failure, unless something dramatic transpires.

Shaqiri brace ✔️The @ChicagoFire are cruising in front of a packed house at @SoldierField. pic.twitter.com/nvBj5ZB4E3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 5, 2023

When is Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati?