Messi: 12 matches in 48 days and the risk of having to miss 4 months
“At one point we thought Leo should at least stop to recover. It's too much to play every 3 or 4 days," coach Gerardo Martino said after Inter Miami won the right to enter the US Open Cup final. In the next match against Nashville, he left Messi on the bench. The truth is that the dizzying pace of the Leagues Cup gradually causes Messi to lose his physical strength. And yesterday, he did not complete 90 minutes with the Argentina team.
Messi is not on the bench, Messi is never substituted. Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Alejandro Sabella, Mauricio Pellegrino and every coach who has had the Argentine superstar in their ranks confirm it. However, at the age of 36, things seem to be different for La Pulga.
“Maybe this won't be the last time I get substituted in matches. I was a bit tired and it happened like that," number 10 revealed after the victory against Ecuador.
Why did Messi leave the field as a substitute in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers? Are you injured? Was that Scaloni's decision?
“He asked me to change. If not, I won't do it," coach Lionel Scaloni affirmed at the press conference. “He asked for a change because he felt something. Tomorrow everyone will practice. If he is healthy, he will play, but if not then we will see what we have to do."
In fact, Inter Miami's consecutive matches in the US did not help Messi have any time to rest. He played a total of 12 matches in 48 days (one match every 4), 7 matches in Leagues Cup, 3 in MLS, 1 in US Open Cup and most recently with Argentina in the qualifying round. Even so, the schedule will not be relaxed in the coming weeks.
Tata Martino's Inter Miami has eight MLS matches remaining (Leo is not expected to play two, against Kansas City and against Atlanta United) and another US Open Cup match (the final against Cincinnati) in just 42 days. This takes into account that Inter Miami did not qualify for the MLS playoffs. Otherwise, he can play 4 more matches.
Paradoxically, the breakneck pace of this match will have a big break. If Inter Miami does not participate in the next phase in MLS, they will not compete for 4 months. This year, the regular season ends on October 21. The next season starts in the last week of February, while Concachamps in the first week of March. This will help Messi focus 100% on the last 2 rounds of qualifying in 2023, from the 16th to November 21. However, just like the overload of matches, resting for too long is not good.
