Why Lionel Messi didn't play in Inter Miami's 3-2 loss against CF Montreal

Inter Miami lost 3-2 against CF Montreal in the Chase Stadium. This is Inter Miami's first loss of the 2024 MLS Season, and they suffered this loss without Lionel Messi, who was watching in the VIP area. Inter Miami are still first in the Eastern Conference with 7 points after four games. The current MLS champions, Columbus Crew, are second in the Eastern Conference with 7 points but with a lower goal difference. NY Red Bulls, Toronto FC, and Montreal themselves are also on 7 points after three games played.

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Inter Miami and Messi fans were concerned to know why Messi wasn't called up for the game against Montreal today. Messi was present watching the game but not on the bench. Messi felt pain in the previous game against Nashville SC in the 1st leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Messi received an unlucky foot from Nashville defender Lukas MacNaughton, who cleared the ball away. Messi stretched his leg to try and get the ball but instead received a right foot from MacNaughton on his shin. Messi was on the Inter Miami injury list but is set to play on Thursday's second-leg game against Nashville. Messi didn't play this game as a precaution and for rest.

It looked like Inter Miami needed Messi as they started to lose early in the second half. After a terrible mistake by Miami keeper Drake Callender, Montreal striker Matias Coccaro could've stepped the ball into the empty net. Instead, the Uruguayan wanted to shoot with his right foot and missed the chance. His shot was blocked, leading to a corner. The corner led to Montreal's opener as a close-range header by Fernando Alvarez went into the left corner of the net in the 13th minute.

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Campana and Jordi Alba scored for Inter Miami, but Montreal scored two more in the 2nd half

In the 71st minute, Lawson Sunderland crossed the ball in the box to Leonardo Campana. Campana heads the ball into the net from close range to equalize the game. Only four minutes later, Montreal scored their second goal of the game. Montreal had a free kick, and Mathieu Choiniere sent a great pass to Coccaro, who headed the ball into the net.

In the 78th minute, Sunusi Ibrahim scored Montreal's third after a great hold-up play from ex-Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez. Inter Miami scored again only two minutes after Montreal's third goal. Jordi Alba scored a screamer from outside the box to make it 3-2, but it wasn't enough to avoid the defeat.