Lionel Messi was rested following Thursday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup encounter, therefore he was unable to participate in tonight’s MLS match between Inter Miami and CF Montreal.
Messi, who has started every game for Inter Miami this season, took a knock earlier in the week against Nashville, thus the 36-year-old attacker was labelled as doubtful for today’s match in Florida.
Supporters and commentators have focused a lot of attention on the Argentine international’s fitness this season, with Inter Miami being asked to rest Messi when necessary and avoid overworking the winger.
Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s match against CF Montreal.
Additionally, according to an official Inter Miami source reached by writer Franco Panizo, Messi has been rested for tonight’s match against Montreal, with Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets starting on the bench.
The 36-year-old forward has been entirely rested for tonight’s game against Florida, which makes sense given that Inter Miami is now engaged in a taxing four-game stretch over the course of twelve days.
Despite Inter Miami having an additional game this season, the Herons have indeed started the 2024 MLS season in good style and will continue to lead the Eastern Conference regardless of the outcome tonight.
Furthermore, it makes sense for Messi to take a thorough break, especially because Inter Miami will play Nashville in the second leg of their Champions Cup encounter on Wednesday.
Herons have done the right thing tonight with Lionel Messi
Maintaining the fitness of players like Messi and Suarez was always going to be the Herons’ top objective entering into this season if they were to win every competition.
Even though Messi’s exclusion from the squad will irritate some supporters tonight, it might turn out that this was the right choice in the coming weeks.
As everyone is aware, Messi’s absence from Inter Miami’s upcoming match against Nashville might be the difference between early elimination and a strong drive for the team’s first continental championship.
