Lionel Messi watches sideline Inter Miami loses Montreal

Lionel Messi watches as Inter Miami loses, resting due to injury. Montreal takes advantage of defensive miscues in 3-2 defeat.

Lionel Messi, the star player for Inter Miami, was unable to play in the team's recent match against Montreal due to a shin injury sustained in a previous game against Nashville. Despite his absence, Inter Miami faced defensive miscues and ultimately suffered their first loss of the season with a score of 3-2.

The injury occurred when Messi was contesting a pass from Nashville's Lukas Macnaughton, resulting in a twist to his left ankle. Although he remained in the match after receiving treatment, Messi was ultimately unable to play in the game against Montreal. Head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino had previously agreed with Messi that he would rest for this match to prioritize his recovery and workload management.

With Inter Miami scheduled to play two more games in the next six days, including a match against New York and Messi's upcoming international commitments with the Argentinian national team, it was crucial to give the star player some rest. Martino emphasized the importance of managing Messi's playing time and ensuring his well-being throughout the season.

Despite the absence of Messi, Inter Miami had opportunities to secure a victory against Montreal. Leonardo Campana scored the tying goal for Miami, but defensive lapses allowed Montreal to take a two-goal lead with goals from Matías Cóccaro and Sunusi Ibrahim. Inter Miami's performance in this match raised concerns about their defensive capabilities and overall team cohesion.

Ultimately, Inter Miami's loss to Montreal highlighted the challenges of managing a star player like Messi and maintaining team performance in his absence. As the team prepares for upcoming matches and competitions, including the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville, it will be essential to address defensive issues and improve overall gameplay to bounce back from this defeat.