The odds of Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami in a critical matchup on Saturday increased when the star forward didn't play Friday night for his national team.

Inter Miami are set to face off with Atlanta United on Saturday night at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

However, leading up to the match, Messi trained with the Argentine national team in preparation for a friendly against Venezuela on Friday night in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Before kickoff, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni announced Messi wouldn't play for La Albiceleste.

Prior to that announcement, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Friday of the possibility that Messi could play for the Herons on Saturday, "If he doesn't play (with Argentina) and there's a chance, I'd be delighted. Imagine having Leo Messi. But the reality is,

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