Lionel Messi suffers from ‘muscle fatigue’, says Tata Martino

Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata» Martino said on Saturday that Lionel Messi was suffering from a “muscle fatigue” and that his return will not be rushed, after the first defeat of his team since the arrival of the “Pulga“. Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba watched Miami’s 5-2 defeat to Atlanta United from the sidelines, with Martino saying he would have been “very reckless» for the Argentinian to play.

The former FC Barcelona and Argentina coach said he is focused on preparing his team for the US Open Cup final on September 27, when Miami hosts Houston, seeking its second trophy. the season. “They will train tomorrow (Sunday) and we will see day by day. Nothing changes our view of how it (Messi) going to train. We are not in a hurry», underlined Tata Martino.

Miami will face Toronto, the only team lower than it in the Eastern Conference, at home in the North American Championship (MLS) on Wednesday. “If he is well and confident he will be able to play and if not he will wait a few more days», Said the Argentine coach. Miami’s loss to Atlanta marks the first in 12 matches in all competitions since Messi and Spaniards Alba and Sergio Busquets joined the team in July. This setback complicates the Florida club’s task of climbing into the top nine of the Eastern Conference, which would ensure qualification for the playoffs. Messi, 36, did not participate in the Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia in La Paz on Tuesdaybut he attended the match from the sidelines.