Monterrey fans chant 'Messi was afraid.' Latest on Lionel Messi after Champions Cup loss.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Monterrey fans traveled to see their team face Lionel Messi’s squad, and they left serenating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentine World Cup champion.
The Monterrey fans chanted “Messi tuvo miedo” or “Messi was afraid” after the Liga MX side left South Florida with a 2-1 win in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against Inter Miami on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.
So, when will Messi play again? The Inter Miami star did not play against Monterrey, and has remained sidelined since March 13 with a right hamstring injury.
It's unclear when Messi will return to action.
“He was not fit enough for this match,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said after Wednesday night's loss. “We didn’t want to risk him.”
What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?
Martino reiterated Inter Miami will continue to evaluate Messi on a game-by-game basis.
Inter Miami hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in an MLS regular-season match, and travel to Mexico for the second leg against Monterrey on April 10.
When did we learn about Messi’s absence vs. Monterrey?
Inter Miami initially targeted Wednesday’s match for Messi’s return, but that appeared to be premature.
Messi was not listed on Inter Miami’s lineup as a starter or a bench player an hour before kickoff against Monterrey.
His status was reported earlier in the day out of Argentina, one from ESPN and another from TYC Sports, before Inter Miami confirmed his absence in the lineup.
When did Messi injury his hamstring?
Messi came off in the 50th minute against Nashville SC in the second leg of their Champions Cup Round of 16 bout on March 13.
Messi was also seen having his right hamstring massaged by trainers during the first leg on March 7 — an indication he’s been dealing with the injury longer than initially reported.
Messi has played in five games with five goals and two assists, but has missed five games across all competitions this season.
