Tata Martino, the manager of Inter Miami, has announced that Lionel Messi will play on Sunday in a crucial MLS match at LAFC.

A week ago, Messi received a rest against the New York Red Bulls, but last time out, Martino added the Argentina international back to his starting lineup. Messi had a rare blank shot in a scoreless draw for the Herons, but Martino said prior of the game that the summer addition will play in what is a crucial game for both teams, so it appears doubtful that he will sit on the bench again at LAFC.

He told reporters, “I don’t imagine Messi needs to rest up in this very important match with the last champion.” “The Red Bulls team was the one we had to stop at; he played 30 minutes, that’s how we did it this week, and now he’s going to play tomorrow.” Martino also stressed that his team’s matchup against LAFC, who are now second in the Western Conference standings, will be a very difficult challenge.

“In my opinion, LAFC is one of the best teams in the league, it is the last champion,” he continued. “Carlos [Vela] is a decisive player within the team structure, [Denis] Bouanga is also decisive, Illie is also decisive, they have a very solid central duo, and there is also a team that is supporting all the individualities, for us it will be a good measure and tomorrow’s game will be a great challenge.”

Messi and Miami can’t afford to lose any more ground if they want to qualify for the playoffs after being held to a scoreless draw by Nashville SC in their previous match. The Herons are on a 10-game unbeaten streak and have improved since Messi’s arrival, but they are still 10 points out of a playoff berth.