Why aren't Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Busquets playing against Orlando City?

Inter Miami faces Orlando City in a match where the absences of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are very noticeable. However, the main reason for the absence of these players in a key match is defined. Although Lionel Messi was already known after the last game, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are not in the game either. Gerardo Martino would already be thinking about the next final to be played on September 27 against the Houston Dynamo for the US Open Cup.

Regarding the absences of the two world champions, who retired injured in their last appearance against Toronto, Gerardo Martino confirmed in the preview that they will not participate in the Orlando match and detailed to the media that The Flea is dealing with “ the issue of the old scar” while Alba has “muscle fatigue.” “Day by day we will go
evaluating,” he clarified. “The scar bothers, I don't know if it hurts,” said the Inter Miami coach.

Busquets has played every game for Inter Miami since he arrived in MLS. For this reason, Gerardo Martino understands that it is time to give the Spaniard a rest. Mainly, thinking about the final of the US Open Cup, where he needs the best version of Busquets because he will face one of the best midfields in the MLS, when he faces Adalberto Carrasquilla and Hector Herrera of the Houston Dynamo. Jordi Alba has physical discomfort like Messi, so the absence of the club's stars is due to more than necessary rest.

Inter Miami in the MLS 

So far, Inter Miami is thirteenth in the Eastern Conference with 31 points after 28 games, while DC United, which is ninth (the last place that gives access to the playoff), has 36 points after 30 games and this weekend they will host the New York Red Bulls (fourteenth in the same conference) in their field. Opposite Martino's team will be an Orlando City team led by Uruguayan Facundo Torres, who are second in the table, 12 points behind Cincinnati.