Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is now set to miss the next game against Orlando City, having picked up an injury, and manager Tata Martino has spoken out about his absence.
The 36-year-old was substituted against Toronto with a knock, and will not play any part in Sunday’s match against Orlando.
Martino has now claimed that the club and player will be cautious over his injury, and that Messi is now at the age where he is taking extra responsibility over his fitness.
“Neither Alba nor he (Messi) are taken into account for Sunday. I haven’t spoken to Leo since the game, but it seems to me that his experience gives him the ability, even within a game, to know when to stop, when to say enough, when to take precautions,” Martino stated.
“And it seems very prudent to me that, at this point of his career, he exercises it more than ever because we want to see Leo on the fields much more time and I have to help him.
“It is good for me that he becomes aware that there are moments in which we have to stop.
Cautious approach
The last thing Messi or Miami want is for the Argentina superstar to pick up a long-term injury now, and resting him for a few games to allow him to fully recover from his knock is a smart move.
Messi has had a strong injury record for most of his career, rarely missing extended periods due to strains or knocks, and he would like to keep it this way.
At his age now, having played at the top level for nearly 20 years straight, Messi will have to be more careful when it comes to treating his injuries, and he will at times have to miss matches for club and country when not fully fit.
During his prime years, it was unthinkable that he would be left out of the team with just a minor knock, but there now has to be a more cautious approach over his body.