Tired Messi misses match vs. Atlanta; nearly 72,000 fans in attendance
A crowd of 71,635 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium didn't get a glimpse of Lionel Messi on Saturday.
The Argentine superstar wasn't named in the Inter Miami squad for his team's league clash with Atlanta United. He didn't travel with the team due to fatigue, according to the Miami Herald's Michelle Kaufman.
How we’re lining up tonight 😤#ATLvMIA | 5PM ET | #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/DPeFSLtylk
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 16, 2023
Inter Miami suffered a 5-2 loss without their captain.
Messi seemingly confirmed his absence on social media late Friday, posting a video of a pizza box from a Miami restaurant.
Despite the 36-year-old's omission from the squad, Martino said Messi returned healthy from international duty with Argentina. He scored against Ecuador but missed the country's next game against Bolivia due to fatigue.
Inter Miami's game is the club's first on artificial turf since Messi joined on a free transfer in the summer. It's understood that Messi hasn't played on turf since he was a youth player.
Along with avoiding playing Messi on turf, another factor in Miami's reported decision to rest the World Cup winner is the jam-packed schedule ahead as the club prepares to play five games in 15 days.
Messi featured in 11 contests for Miami in his first 44 days at the club. He has 11 goals and five assists.