Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has said why Lionel Messi didn’t play at all this weekend for the Herons against CF Montreal.
The Argentine international wasn’t named in the matchday squad for Sunday’s MLS clash against the Canadian side in Florida, with Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets featuring on the bench.
Messi has started every Inter Miami game this season, yet the forward picked up a shin injury on Thursday against Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami planned to rest Lionel Messi vs CF Montreal
And speaking to the Miami Herald, manager Martino has now detailed why Messi didn’t play yesterday against Montreal, with the decision planned well in advance.
With Inter Miami taking on Nashville in the second leg of their Champions Cup tie this week, having Messi fully fit for that fixture could be crucial in the Herons claiming continental success this season.
And whilst Inter Miami ended up losing last night for the first time this year, the decision to rest the Argentine was a wise one from Martino, who now should have a well-rested Messi for Wednesday night.
Martino said: “We discussed this about a week ago. We agreed that this was the game he should rest, independent of what happened in the game against Nashville.”
Lionel Messi will want to put on a show against Nashville
Messi has started the season in fine form for Inter Miami, with the forward proving once again why he is still one of the best players on the planet and a real asset for the Herons.
And with the 36-year-old attacker missing last night’s game in Florida, Messi will want to put on a show later this week in the Champions Cup against Nashville.
Winning the competition has been outlined by Inter Miami as a real priority this season, and Messi being fully fit to take on Nashville will be huge for the Herons as they look to best their MLS rivals.