Alert at Inter Miami: the discomfort Lionel Messi is dealing with

Lionel Messi is once again the centre of attention due to his physical condition. The captain of the Argentina national team and star of Inter Miami has been feeling the effects of the recent match run, raising concerns both at his club and within the national team's technical staff.

Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami, confirmed Messi's condition and explained the reasons why the Argentine star was not called up for the recent match against Houston Dynamo. "As for Leo, he hasn’t had any injury, but over the course of the matches, he has felt fatigue and some overload. That’s why we decided he wouldn’t travel to Houston. We’ve already had a few injuries, and we don’t want a player as important as him to be sidelined for a month just because we didn’t give him the rest he needed," Mascherano said.

While it’s not a major injury, the statements from the former midfielder reinforce the idea that Messi isn’t at 100% physically. At 36 years old, the accumulation of matches and travel is starting to show in his performance, a situation that was already evident during the final stages of the previous season when he had to miss several matches for Inter Miami.

The team managed by Mascherano has started the MLS season with high expectations, but Messi's presence is essential for the team’s success. However, the club understands that forcing his participation in every match could lead to a more serious injury, which would affect both the team and the Argentina national team, who are already preparing for the 2024 Copa America.

Messi’s physical discomfort is also a concern for the Albiceleste. While alarms haven’t been triggered yet, planning his schedule will be crucial to avoid unnecessary risks. Lionel Scaloni and his technical staff are closely monitoring his progress, knowing that their captain is key to the goal of retaining the continental title.

For now, Messi is undergoing controlled training sessions and scheduled rest to ensure he is in optimal condition for the upcoming fixtures. Both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team know that the most important thing is to protect his physical health so he can continue to make a difference on the pitch.