Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami against CF Montreal?

The Herons have a busy schedule this year with MLS, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Champions League fixtures to contend with.

William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Mar 10th, 2024 20:57 EDT0

CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICHEFE

Ahead of kick-off at Chase Stadium it was announced that Inter Miami would be without Lionel Messi for their MLS clash against CF Montreal. The 36-year-old had been involved in every minute for the Herons so far this season but was not named in the squad for Sunday’s game.

The Herons were looking to keep up an impressive start to the season, winning two and drawing one of their opening three MLS fixtures, but they fell to defeat against an impressive CF Montreal side. Neither Messi nor Luis Suarez started for Miami against Montreal; Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana took their places in the forward line.

Sunday’s Starters 💫#MIAvMTL | 5PM ET | 📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xTbqpAd8rr

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 10, 2024

Miami head coach Tata Martino had hinted at this earlier this week. There has been no official word on any injury for Messi, although he did suffer a hefty whack on the shin during the CONCACAF Champions Cup draw against Nashville midweek.

At Chase Stadium on Sunday reporters noticed that Messi did not arrive with the rest of the team. Without the Argentine in attendance Luis Suarez, Messi’s usual partner, entered the stadium alone.

Lionel Messi, who was labeled “questionable” for the match against Montreal in team reports, did not arrive to the stadium with the rest of the squad. Luis Suarez was the last to walk in. pic.twitter.com/3CWMHJoxlU

— Lizzy Becherano (@lizzy_becherano) March 10, 2024

Miami staff aware of Lionel Messi burden

Messi made an incredible start to life in Miami last year, catapulting an underperforming team to the Leagues Cup trophy and nearly pushing them into the post-season. The team fell just short on that last aim but this year, with a full pre-season under his belt, Messi is expected to have Miami competing at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The biggest issue for Miami could well be managing his game time. The Argentine has been playing professional soccer for two decades and rarely missed a game throughout his career. Even at the age of 36 he remains a key player for the Argentinian national team and balancing his playing time across 2024 will be a concern for the Herons.