Why was Lionel Messi substituted against Nashville?

The Inter Miami captain recorded a goal and an assist but was removed just minutes into the second half.

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 Miami were leading by two goals but had 40 minutes still to play when Messi was withdrawn, suggesting that his substitution was not purely a routine legs-saving exercise.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.

With Inter Miami safely through to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF competition and just 50 minutes in Lionel Messi’s legs, it seems as if Tata Martino got the best of both worlds against Nashville. We’ll be waiting to see if any further news of Messi’s fitness emerged from Miami in the coming days, but he should be fully fit to take on DC United this weekend.