The Daily Heron: At least six Inter Miami players called up for international duty, three make Matchday team

International break wreaking havoc on Herons’ roster

Lionel Messi will miss three matches while playing for Argentina as it begins qualifying to defend its World Cup, but he’s not the only Inter Miami player called to serve his national team. Here’s who we know has been called up so far:

Josef Martinez, Venezuela

Martínez has played with the Venezuelan national team 65 times since debuting in August 2011, registering 15 goals and three assists. He has featured for the team in three editions of the CONMEBOL Copa América, World Cup qualifiers, and international friendlies. Most recently, he featured in Venezuela’s 1-0 win over Guatemala in a friendly during the June international break.

At the club level, Martinez contributed three goals and two assists in Inter Miami’s historic 2023 Leagues Cup title-winning campaign; he has also made 20 MLS regular season appearances in 2023, recording six goals and an assist.

Venezuela plays at Colombia at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 7 and will host Paraguay (and Martinez’ Inter Miami teammate Diego Gomez) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.