Is Lionel Messi injured? Why is the Argentine not playing for Vancouver against Inter Miami?

The big news from Inter Miami concerns Lionel Messi. According to the team's roster, La Pulga is not even on the bench, let alone in the starting lineup. Having previously played the full 90 minutes against DC United, the Argentine superstar looked in top form. But why did Tata Martino avoid using his captain in a crucial match? Did he pick up an injury in recent training sessions?

The story is that Lionel Messi has no new injury concerns. In fact, given the tight schedule, the Herons decided to rest their playmaker. The reasoning is that La Pulga would be fresh for the encounter with Atlanta United on May 30. This comes as a huge relief to the fans. In recent training sessions, the Argentine superstar looked unwell and repeatedly held his legs. Moreover, the 8-time Ballon d'Or winner has only played 12 out of 20 matches this season due to injuries. Fortunately, there was no injury this time.

Moreover, Lionel Messi is not the only superstar to miss the match. Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets are also not in the squad. They were excluded for the same reason as La Pulga, to stay fresh and rested. The duo will be replaced by Leonardo Campana and Yannick Bight. Can they serve as capable replacements? Well, we will soon find out.

While giving Lionel Messi a rest is a great idea on paper, it presents a major problem for Tata Martino. The Herons are no longer the same team without the Argentine maestro and it is difficult to win games.

Inter Miami’s dismal record without Lionel Messi!

Inter Miami looks like a completely different team with and without Lionel Messi. This season, their record without La Pulga is 3 losses, draws and a single win. Even coach Tata Martino has admitted that the team relies too much on Messi. This season, he has scored 10 goals and 9 assists in MLS, establishing himself as their leader on the pitch. The other big scorer Luis Suarez is also unavailable, so Leonardo Campana will be the most important player for Inter Miami tonight.

Campana still has a lot to prove. Last season he formed a lethal attack with Lionel Messi that was instrumental in winning the Leagues Cup. But the arrival of Luis Suarez has pushed the Ecuadorian star to the sidelines. At 23, Campana is the future of the club and one around whom the team must be built. Can he help the Herons take all three points? Let's wait and see.

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