Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will be eligible to play in Sunday's MLS clash against New England Revolution despite picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in midweek.

The 39-year-old received his latest yellow card in the 42nd minute of Wednesday's 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium. 

Messi looked perplexed as he received the booking after approaching the referee following a tussle with Cincinnati's Samuel Gidi.

The caution represented Messi's fifth yellow card of the regular season, which, on the face of it, put him at risk of a one-match ban.

Messi avoids one-match ban

However, fortunately for Inter Miami, Messi will be available for Sunday's away trip to the MLS' good behaviour rule.

The regulation states that a player who goes five consecutive MLS games without a yellow card will have one booking removed from their tally.

Messi's cautions came on matchdays eight, 11, 20, 31 and 33, with two of the intervals being enough to bring the good behaviour initiative into play.

While the five yellow cards stay on his record, Messi will be free to feature in Inter Miami's penultimate game of the MLS season.

Messi looking to rediscover best form

Inter Miami have taken just one point from their last two games, with Messi failing to register a single goal contribution in either of those matches.

A two-game drought is not a cause for panic, but Messi will be keen to rediscover his best form ahead of the playoffs, with Inter Miami hoping to retain the MLS Cup they won last season.

The Argentine remains the competition's leading scorer, having netted 25 goals in his 29 appearances during the regular season.

For Inter Miami, they still have position and CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification to play for in their final two matches of the regular season despite already being assured of a playoff berth.

The Herons are sitting in third spot in the Eastern Conference, with a two-point gap to Sunday's opponents, who occupy second position.