The Argentine leader and star of Inter Miami, Lionel Andrés Messi was not called up for the match where the pink team of ‘Las Garzas’ had to face CF Montreal for a new round of Major League Soccer in the United States, and although the news took thousands of fans who were present at the Chase Stadium by surprise, the same He had more compelling reasons.
Argentine coach Gerardo ‘El Tata’ Martino made the decision not to call Messi for this match in what was the fourth date of the 2024 MLS season. Inter Miami so far leads Zone A with a total of 7 points achieved, the same as clubs such as New York Red Bull, Toronto FC and the Colombus Crew.
These were the reasons why Messi He did not see a minute of action in the match against CF Montreal and was not even on the substitute bench:
1. The ironing received in a duel against Nashville.
One of the main reasons why Messi was left without seeing action on the fourth date of Major League Soccer, was the strong foul he received in Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC where a hit at the level of his calf twisted Messi’s left ankle and knee, something that greatly worried everyone around Miami. Although the Argentine was able to continue playing, the alarms did not stop ringing at all and Martino preferred to give him a rest in this match against the Canadian team.
2. Special work on the right hamstring.
Messi is not injured, but he does have a discomfort that has become regular for the captain of the Argentina national team.. The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain player has pain in his right leg due to an injury that took time to heal in the best way and this occasionally causes delays in being able to be fully healthy.
In fact, the Miami team doctors could be seen massaging Messi in the middle of the match to try to counteract the discomfort, but despite this the Argentine continues to suffer from the same and this can become a significant injury if it is not handled in the best possible way, which is why ‘Tata’ Martino He preferred to do without his services for the duel against Montreal.
3. Wednesday’s momentous game.
A point that gains considerable importance and weight is the second leg of the round of 16 of the Concachampions; Last Thursday, Inter Miami achieved a tie in crisis mode with a score of 2 goals for each side, with the Argentine himself and the Uruguayan Luis Suárez being the ones who shouted a goal in favor of the pink team.
Now ‘Las Garzas’ will host Nashville SC at home and that is precisely why Messi He must be at his best or at least in acceptable conditions to face the challenge that this confrontation represents where Miami will seek to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Concachampions.
The third and last point – not minor – is for the revenge that Inter Miami will have for the Concachampions. Last Thursday, Las Garzas achieved an agonizing 2-2 draw (Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, the authors) and now they will receive Nashville SC at home with the peace of mind that the two away goals scored will have a plus in case of tie.
Gerardo Martino also rested his main figures against CF Montrealsuch as the star striker Luis Suárez, ‘El Pistolero’, who entered the game coming from the substitute bench.
This is the first game of the season that Lionel Messi misses. Until nowhas seen action in all four games and scored the same number of goals, being among the scoring leaders in the MLS.
Keep reading:
Inter Miami lost its undefeated MLS record at the hands of CF Montreal in a match without Lionel Messi in the game
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