Lukas MacNaughton, Nashville defender, went to dispute a ball with Lionel Messi 32 minutes into the second half.
In his eagerness to clear the ball against the pressure of the number 10, he touched the ball, but left the sole extended, right to the left (and so valuable) leg of the Argentine.
This was the terrible kick against Messi
Unusually, the aggressor was not even cautioned and the VAR did not call the referee to review the action.
MacNaughton tried to approach and explain the play to 10, but he immediately made the iron gesture, understandably angry.
The doctors treated him and, fortunately, he was able to continue on the field.
Days later, the defender spoke at a press conference and took the drama out of what happened.
"I've swept enough players in my career, it is what it is, it's just one more sweep
," he said.
Later, he was consulted about the immense amount of insults and grievances he received on social networks, and he also downplayed them:
"Abuse on social networks? It's the same everywhere, it's people online. I'm ready to play, it doesn't affect me me".
The reasons for Messi's absence against Montreal
Leo, not even the bank for the MLS: all his guns, now, are aimed at the Concachampions.
Logical, in a certain way predictable... Lionel Messi did not play against Montreal in the MLS (Inter Miami lost 3-2) after the kick he suffered against Nashville in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Concachampions and, precisely, thinking about this Wednesday's rematch.
Messi did not play against Montreal.
Just because it was Messi, doubt was present until the team arrived at the DRV PNK stadium and the initial formation that Tata Martino chose for the fourth day of the tournament was known.
An 11 that also did not have Lucho Suárez and Sergio Busquets from the start (both went to the bench).
In Saturday's training, in fact, Leo had not participated with the rest of his teammates and an image of him with a Newell's fan was even made public in which ice was seen on his left leg, the one that suffered the very hard blow. .
Messi had started the official season in full with Inter Miami, with four complete games: three in the MLS (victories against Real Salt Lake and Orlando City and a draw against Los Angeles Galaxy) and in the 2-2 against Nashville.
In those games, he scored four goals and was, of course, fundamental.
The rematch with Nashville for a place in the Concachampions quarterfinals is this Wednesday night and everyone expects Leo to be with the 10 and not, of course, in a box as he was seen with Antonela Roccuzzo and her children in the afternoon this Sunday.
Martino's argument
"We talked about this a week ago. We agreed that this was the game in which he should rest. That's what we did," explained the coach, who was very upset with the rival, Montreal, because according to him he made time and The referee did not add what he should have.
The five changes
Messi was not the only starter this week who did not play this Sunday, he was the only one of the five who came out who did not even go to the bench.
The other four starters in Nashville and substitutes this Sunday were Nicolás Freire, Sergio Busquets, Diego Gómez and Lucho Suárez (all four entered the final half during the 2-3).
And those who entered were David Ruiz, Jordi Alba, Lawson Sunderland, Robert Taylor and the Ecuadorian Campana.
The 11 chosen by Tata were Callender;
Ruiz, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Allen, Jordi Alba;
Gressel, Redondo, Sunderland;
Taylor and Campana.