Lionel Messi and Inter Miami ended a tough August with a match against rival Nashville in the framework of the American Professional League (MLS). For the first time since arriving at the club, Messi started but failed to contribute a goal or assist.

According to Goal, fitness is the Argentine superstar’s problem. Having to compete constantly made it impossible for the 2022 World Cup winner to find his usual serenity.

“This match, the heaviness is on Messi’s feet. This is understandable if you look at the number of games he has gone through since joining the team. Arriving at Inter Miami, Messi immediately shouldered the club. But before Nashville, he didn’t seem strong enough to do it,” Goal said.

According to statistics, Messi played a total of 690 minutes in August. During the past 8 years, there has not been a calendar month, the Argentine superstar has to play more than 2 minutes. For a player who has turned 600 like Messi, this is obviously a big challenge.

Messi has had to play continuously for the past month

Besides, most of Messi’s confrontations at Inter Miami are tense and significant.

Nashville is the same opponent who lost to Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final 10 days ago. Therefore, they already know about the danger of Messi. Whenever the Argentine striker has the ball, there are usually 2 or 3 shadows attached. This, combined with not being in the best shape, made Messi shut up.

In fact, Messi still had a few notable moments against Nashville. In the 27th minute, the Argentine superstar had a pass rip through the visitors defence for Alba. However, the 34-year-old winger was unable to capitalise. Also in the first half, Messi had two more chances to finish for Robert Taylor.

 

 

Statistics from Sofascore show that in the last match, Messi touched the ball a total of 93 times, finished 8 times and had 52 passes. The page also gave Messi an 8, the highest in the match.

It’s time for Messi to rest

Messi has brought a lot of magical moments to Inter Miami. However, the Argentine star is not a machine and still needs breaks to recover. Miami coach Tata Martino himself not long ago revealed Messi has reached the limit of his fitness. The grueling performance was further proof of that.

Messi was closely followed by Nashville players

Against Nashville, Messi had to play the full 90 minutes. On the morning of September 4, the same could happen on the day Inter Miami had to play away to LA FC. This confrontation ended, Messi immediately had to return to Argentina to prepare for 9 confrontations in World Cup qualifying, respectively against Ecuador (2/8) and Bolivia (9/13).

 

 

A tough schedule is in front of Messi. Although Messi’s role is especially important, this is the time when the 36-year-old superstar needs to be given reasonable rest conditions to ensure his performance as well as avoid unnecessary injuries.

Coach Tata Martino seems to have considered this option as well. And now it’s time for him to do just that. Resting Messi at the moment is good for the 36-year-old superstar, perhaps good for the whole long-distance race Inter Miami is going