Again from the box.
Lionel Messi does not play this Wednesday for Inter Miami
in what, to date, is the most important match in the history of the Florida club. The Argentine star, affected by a muscle injury in the
hamstring of his right leg
that has hurt him since the preseason tour of Asia, resolved together with the coaching staff to preserve himself as he did not feel in a position to face the demands of the quarterfinals. of the final of the
Concacaf Champions Cup
against
Rayados de Monterrey
.
The surroundings of Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale became sad as the news spread across cell phones. Gerardo Tata Martino had anticipated it in the press conference prior to the match for the continental tournament, which qualifies the champion for the
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
.
Champions Cup starting XI đź’Ş#MIAvMTY #VamosMiami pic.twitter.com/o6yTbMGDXR
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 3, 2024
“Tomorrow we will define, not today,”
anticipated the coach, who had also clarified:
“Leo trained, but there are 24 hours left
. ”
“Tata” Martino had added that, although his desire was to have the best footballer in history in a key match, he did not plan to risk it if he was not 100% recovered.
And that period of time ended up being decisive in collecting the feelings of the 36-year-old Flea, who has not played officially since last March 13, when he felt discomfort in his right leg again during the rematch against Nashville SC for the round of 16. at the end of this same tournament.
“Although it is an important match, we are only in April, for us this is just beginning and we cannot put the conditions of our footballer at risk
,” declared the Rosario coach.
Arriving ahead of a big Champions Cup night đź‘‹ pic.twitter.com/AdSJjCVfMS
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 3, 2024
So, the indication was "not to take risks", but to do that in such a decisive match, at home, and which represents the club's greatest challenge, the injury has to continue giving Messi pain. In any case, it is known that La Pulga's objective is to give Inter Miami the first MLS title, the American League.
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