The simple reason why Lionel Messi is not starting for Inter Miami in his first game
The moment MLS fans have been waiting for is finally here. Donning his new Inter Miami threads, Lionel Messi received a hero's welcome when he walked onto the pitch for pregame at DRV PNK Stadium. With Tom Brady, LeBron James and Serena Williams all on hand for his first game, this certainly didn't feel like your typical Friday night for an MLS side.
And when the referee blew the opening whistle, Messi was . . . on the bench?
Those who have been closely following Messi's arrival to the United States were not surprised when Messi — along with midfielder Sergio Busquets — was not included in Inter Miami's starting lineup. But for the thousands of casual fans in attendance and millions of others tuning in to see this momentous occasion, the sight of Messi on the bench surely caused a double take.
But fear not; there's a very simple explanation.
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While the MLS season is in full swing, Messi's late arrival during the summer transfer window from PSG means he's squarely in preseason mode. The Argentine hasn't played since June 3 in his final game for PSG and is not yet in form. The MLS season runs from February to October but Messi is coming off two decades spent in Europe when he's typically kicking off his season in August.
Inter Miami has struggled in league action this season but head coach Tata Martino is in no hurry to rush Messi and Busquets into the mix. While their arrival could catapult Inter Miami up the standings with a late-season push, fans shouldn't expect either to be playing a full 90 right from the jump. Martino said as much in the run-up to Messi's debut.
Tata: “Messi and Busquets will play on Friday. I’m not sure if they will start.
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