Lionel Messi may very well be ignored of Inter Miami’s beginning lineup for the primary time this season when the workforce hosts CF Montreal on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Argentina star has performed each minute of Miami’s three MLS matches up to now in 2024, in addition to in its Concacaf Champions League draw at Nashville SC on Thursday, however assistant coach Javier Morales instructed he may very well be given a relaxation forward of the return leg in opposition to Nashville.
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“Everyone knows Leo and he’s a participant who desires to play each recreation,” Morales stated throughout a media availability Saturday. “I feel we may have a dialog with him, see how he feels, see how he’s and attempt to resolve what’s greatest for him as a result of he has performed 90 minutes each recreation and we are going to make the very best choice enthusiastic about the long run.”
Messi scored to assist Miami rescue a 2-2 draw in opposition to Nashville but in addition suffered a tough sort out on his shin late within the recreation. Morales stated it was only a “knock” and was not an element within the choice of whether or not he’ll play Sunday, although Messi was later formally listed as questionable with a shin challenge on MLS’ participant standing report.
Luis Suárez, who scored Miami’s different objective in opposition to Nashville, finds himself in the same place to Messi having additionally began all 4 video games this season. And the 37-year-old is also in line for a relaxation in opposition to Montreal.
“Luis is okay, he has performed all of the video games and scored two objectives within the final dwelling recreation and one objective [on Thursday],” Morales stated. “The harm is okay, and he’s match to play.
“However what we talked about simply now, each Luis, Leo, all of the gamers, have been taking part in a whole lot of minutes, particularly on this stretch of matches, and we’ve to handle it the very best we will as a result of it is a lengthy season and we’re simply beginning. We will not do something loopy. Similar as Leo, we are going to discuss to Luis and see what’s greatest for the workforce.
Whereas Morales was non-committal on his lineup, one other former Barcelona participant, Jordi Alba, appears set to return to the workforce after overcoming an sickness that stored him out in opposition to Nashville.
Miami will host Nashville within the return leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16-tie on Wednesday.