Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has explained why Lionel Messi didn’t feature for Monterrey last night despite rumors that the forward would play.
The 36-year-old attacker has now missed the Heron’s last five matches in all competitions after Messi picked up a hamstring injury against Nashville SC in the last round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Despite reports that Messi would play against Monterrey, the forward was again not named in the squad as Inter Miami threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to the Mexican giants in the opening leg.
Lionel Messi not risked by Inter Miami in Monterrey defeat
Yet speaking to the Miami Herald, manager Martino revealed that Messi wasn’t ready just yet to play, with the forward now expected to be evaluated heading into Saturday’s MLS clash against the Colorado Rapids.
Given how turbulent Inter Miami’s form has been without Messi, the Florida franchise will be hopeful that the Argentine will be back in action this weekend, with next week’s return leg against Monterrey now massive.
Martino said when asked why Messi didn’t feature against Monterrey: “We had said Leo will be day to day, and he was not ready to play today, it would have been too much of a risk.
“He is feeling better each day, and we will re-evaluate for the Colorado game [on Saturday] and the return leg against Monterrey next week [Wednesday].”
Lionel Messi now faces a race against time to recover
With Inter Miami 2-1 down in their series against Monterrey, the Herons face an incredibly hard task in overturning this result to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup.
A 2-0 win will be enough to book Inter Miami’s passage into the next round, yet if Messi again misses out through injury, the Florida franchise might as well kiss their chances goodbye.
After all, winning in Mexico is something few MLS sides have managed in recent years, and Inter Miami will need the greatness of Messi on their side if they’re to do the unthinkable and progress from this position against Monterrey.