Inter Miami secured their second road win in as many days with a 1-0 result against Toronto FC, with Lionel Messi starting on the bench.
Having secured the Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday night against the Columbus Crew, Tata Martino made wholesale changes to the Inter Miami starting XI for Saturday’s tie away to Toronto, with Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all rested.
With Messi coming on after 60 minutes as Leonardo Campana scored a 93rd-minute winner, the Argentine international enjoyed an easy game at BMO Field, with Inter Miami now one win away from setting the MLS regular season points record.
And Martino has now shared why Messi and company were rested for Saturday’s win away in Canada.
Messi always planned to be rested by Inter Miami for Toronto clash
Speaking to the press after the win, Martino shared how the plan was to always rest Messi and Inter Miami’s other aging superstars for Toronto, with the Herons having quite a packed schedule in recent weeks.
Since returning from injury, Messi has played the full 90 in four of Inter Miami’s six games, with the 37-year-old simply at an age where proper rest and recovery is needed if the Argentine is to ready himself for the next game.
And Inter Miami are keeping on top of Messi’s fitness, with Martino saying: “We made the decision on Friday to rest the players, it made sense after two full games that we make some rotations, and we had players ready to go.
“We were able to complete our two objectives. One was to give players some rest and also to win the game because of what it means from a motivational standpoint to be in position to break the points record.”
Messi is being managed perfectly heading into the play-offs
Messi has returned to MLS action at the right time for the Herons, with the Florida franchise confirmed Supporters’ Shield champions heading into the post-season play-offs.
And with Inter Miami the obvious favorites for MLS Cup, having the reigning Ballon d’Or holder back to full fitness could be the difference between a disappointing run in the play-offs or making even more history.
Indeed, Inter Miami know they need their star attacker and captain if they’re to go all the way in the post-season, and keeping the Argentine as rested as possible will go a long way in the Herons winning even more silverware.