Lionel Messi’s reaction after goals from Maxi Meza and Corcho Rodríguez for Monterrey against Inter Miami

The cameras that usually follow him when he is inside the pitch, this time are pointed outside the field, more precisely on one of the boxes of the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, from where Lionel Messi the match continued InterMiami lost 2-1 against Monterrey, in the quarter-finals of the Concachampions. The reactions of the Argentine starfocused by different lenses, they have not gone unnoticed.

The American team took the lead with a batting average of goal by the Argentine Tomás Avilésto 18 in the first half, but after conceding a David Ruiz’s childhood expulsion He also conceded the goal of Provisional equalizer by Massimiliano Mezawho shared the squad with Messi at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Corrientes player, former Gimnasia (LP) and Independiente, sent a short rebound into the net which Drake Callender, goalkeeper of the team coached by Gerardo Tata Martino, began to generate some concern in the star of the Rosarywho slumped back in his seat, tossed a few words into the air and showed signs of concern at the 23-minute mark, putting his hand to his face and looking to the side.

Subsequently, two minutes before the end of regulation time, Jorge cork Rodriguez crowned an all-Argentine night of scorers, but declared Inter Miami defeated. At that point, on the 10th the game was already continuing standingand after the goal of the former Banfield and Estudiantes de La Plata player he could only watch the crowd.

Why Messi didn’t play against Monterrey

Inter Miami did not have Lionel Messi on the pitch as the captain continues to recover from a hamstring muscle injury of the right leg which has been bad for him since the pre-season tour of Asia.

Despite the medical clearance – he participated in training on Tuesday and moved alongside his teammates – the Qatar 2022 world champion decided together with the technical staff to preserve himself, believing that the discomfort could reappear in such a demanding moment of a match .

It was the fourth consecutive match missed by the Rosario player. His last appearance was in the round of 16 of the Concachampions, when he was substituted in the 5th minute of the second half of the rematch against Nashville SC on 13 March.

It is very likely that Messi will also be absent from Saturday’s MLS match against the Colorado Rapids. The goal is to return to Mexico on Wednesday, against Monterrey, which Inter will have to beat by two goals to continue in the race for the continental competition, a great goal of the season because it qualifies for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, without going through the extension and penalties , which would happen if the result of the first leg were repeated.