Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will be absent from the upcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) match against Atlanta United on Saturday. This is the first time Messi will miss a game since joining the club in July. A source from the club revealed that the decision was made to give the Argentinian World Cup winner a well-deserved rest, considering the number of games he has played recently.
Contrary to speculation, the choice to rest Messi was not influenced by the turf field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. There had been concerns about whether Messi would play on an artificial surface, sparking a debate within US soccer about the potential physical impact. However, during his introductory press conference with Miami, Messi mentioned that he had spent his youth playing on artificial turf and had no issues adapting to it again.
Messi, who did not participate in Argentina's World Cup qualifying victory against Bolivia on Tuesday, did not travel with the team for the match against Atlanta United. Instead, he shared a picture on his Instagram stories account, which revealed he was enjoying a pizza in Miami.
The organizers of the match were expecting a crowd of over 70,000 spectators who were eager to witness the incredible skills of the Argentine phenom. Despite Messi's absence, Inter Miami has been performing well lately, remaining unbeaten in 11 games and securing their first trophy last month.
Since joining the MLS, Messi has already played in three games for Inter Miami this season. While his absence may disappoint fans, it provides an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth on the field. Messi's presence in the league has undeniably raised its profile, and his contribution to Inter Miami's success has been apparent.