Messi also got injured with the goal
Inter Miami defeated Nashville 3-1 in the second leg of the last sixteen of the CONCACAF Champions Cup today. Miami advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-3 win over the two legs. Like the first leg, Miami star Lionel Messi scored a goal in the return leg today. Scored a goal through teammate Luis Suarez.
However, Messi also raised eyebrows by leaving the field in the 50th minute of the match. Many may have thought that the Argentine legend was injured. That idea proved correct in the end. US media "Miami Herald" reported that after the match, Miami coach Gerardo Martino confirmed Messi's injury. Messi felt a strain in his right hamstring. Martino replaced Robert Taylor as he felt uncomfortable.
There is also bad news for Miami fans. Miami will face DC United in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday. Miami Herald reported that Martino does not expect to get Messi in this match.
"We didn't want to take any risks," Martino said in explaining Messi's removal from the field today. I was trying to understand whether he can play a little more time. But because he felt uncomfortable, we took him off the field. Martino said about the possibility of Messi playing against DC United, "I don't want to take a risk. But I think he will not be available for Saturday's match.
Messi played the full 90 minutes in the first four games of the season for Miami. The 36-year-old forward was rested against Montreal last Sunday. Miami has a practice session tomorrow. Martino's team will then leave for Washington DC.
Messi will join the Argentina national team after the match against DC United on Saturday. As preparation for the Copa America, Argentina will play friendly matches against El Salvador on March 22 in Philadelphia and Costa Rica on March 26 in Los Angeles.
The American media "USA Today" said that it is more likely that Messi will not play in two matches for Miami at this time. He will miss the match against the New York Red Bulls on March 23, possibly due to national team duties. And he may be rested for the match against New York City FC on March 30.
