sport news Lionel Messi: Inter Miami coach Tata Martino defends decision to rest star man ... trends now
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Inter Miami coach Tata Martino defended his decision to rest Lionel Messi against Montreal on Sunday, despite the team slumping to their first defeat of the season without him.
Miami were left to rue Messi's absence as Montreal ran out 3-2 winners at Chase Stadium, where a series of defensive mishaps contributed to the hosts' first loss of the 2024 campaign.
Both teams scored twice in a frantic final 20 minutes, though it was Sunusi Ibrahim who turned home what proved to be the winner for a jubilant Montreal.
Messi, 36, could only watch on from the stands after Martino opted to rest his star man amid a grueling schedule of three games in six days.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino defended his decision to rest Lionel Messi against Montreal
Martino said after the game that Messi and other key stars need to 'last an entire season'
Miami fell to their first defeat of the season without Messi, losing 3-2 at home to Montreal
Miami are set to take on Nashville in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup
