Lionel Messi did not travel with Inter Miami as a visiting team for this Saturday night’s game against Atlanta United. Although he has no injury record, in line with Gerardo Martino, he prefers to extend his playing time in order to recover well and perform at his best in the US Open final. However, during free time, Leo took the opportunity to watch Thiago play in the club’s youth academy and gave him instructions!
Photographers at the Miami International Stadium captured Leo holding a thermos and his partner under his arm, alongside his two other children, Mateo and Ciro. The three were present to watch Thiago, who was playing a match against Inter Miami’s under-12 team.
Sometimes, you can even see Messi at defensive tackle. The fact is that in some of the recorded images Leo appears to be standing and giving instructions to Thiago. A hitherto unknown side of the Argentinian star…
Never been to Atlanta
After the international window ended and he made his debut in the qualifiers, Leo quickly returned to the United States to work at Inter Miami in midweek. The best player in the world knows a tough schedule is coming, but coach Tata Martino has also warned that he doesn’t want to risk the footballer. So it is: Leo didn’t even travel with the delegation to this Saturday’s game against Atlanta United. And Friday night, He enjoyed some pizza with his family.
Martino’s words
“Leo is fine, but we won’t make a decision until after training. We will be careful with him because we have a lot of important games in a short period of time,” hthe Argentinian coach assured. He also spoke about the barely light job Messi has had since returning from La Paz, where he did not play due to some minor muscle discomfort: “Every game, 90 minutes per game, with two or three days of travel in between, it’s going to be difficult.”
At 36 years old, even the player himself already knows and accepts that he has to measure his playing time. Throughout his career, he was a player who never liked being out, let alone absent. However, he wisely realized that if he wanted to prolong his career and reach such a high level, he would have to start avoiding risks. He already said it when he came on his debut against Ecuador, He said you have to start getting used to seeing him come out because this isn’t the only time. He then rested against Bolivia.
After coming to the United States, he did not rest and completed the League Cup against the Mexican team in just one month, playing two games a week. Of course, the important thing is that Leo feels good.