Why was Lionel Messi substituted against Nashville?

Inter Miami secured passage to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor gave the Herons an unsurmountable lead, despite a late consolation from Sam Surridge. Miami looked more comfortable having reverted to the 5-3-2 formation used by Tata Martino and he will have been happy with his side’s performance.

The only cause for concern amongst Inter Miami supporters will be the decision to substitute Lionel Messi just minutes into the second half, a move that suggests the Argentine was not feeling 100%. Miami were leading by two goals but had 40 minutes still to play when Messi was withdrawn, suggesting that his substitution was not purely a routine legs-saving exercise.

However Messi remained on his team’s bench throughout the second half and did not appear to be receiving any treatment. He was even seen laughing and joking with teammates on the touchline.

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With Inter Miami safely through to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF competition and just 50 minutes in Lionel Messi’s legs, Tata Martino appears to have made a wise decision against Nashville. However the Herons have just three days to recover before they take on DC United this weekend and it looks like Lionel Messi may miss the MLS clash.

Speaking after the game on Wednesday evening Martino explained that Messi had felt “an overload in his right hamstring” and the Herons staff decided to remove him from the game. The Argentine has struggled with muscular issues during his time in Miami and Martino told reporters that Messi “won’t be available” for Saturday’s trip to DC United, a major blow for the Herons as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s MLS loss to Montreal.