Lionel Messi's Absence Shakes Inter Miami as New England Revolution Takes Early Lead

In a surprising turn of events, Lionel Messi was not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami’s regular season finale against New England Revolution on Saturday. With a sold-out crowd at Chase Stadium eager to see their star player, they were instead stunned as New England took an early 1-0 lead with a goal from Luca Langoni in the second minute. Langoni capitalized on a defensive lapse, getting behind center-back David Martinez, who was making his return after a groin injury.

A Strategic Decision: Messi on the Bench

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino made a calculated decision to rest Messi, despite the team's pursuit of breaking the MLS points record. Martino, looking ahead to the start of the playoffs on October 25, wanted Messi to be in peak form. Coming off national team duty, where Messi delivered a stunning hat trick and two assists for Argentina against Bolivia, Martino prioritized his star’s fitness over the immediate milestone.

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino arrives to Chase Stadium before his team plays their MLS match against the New England Revolution on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale

“We have been setting goals all season, and this points record was not originally part of our plan, but now that it's within reach, we’ll try to achieve it,” Martino said. “That being said, our primary focus remains the playoffs. We’ll assess how much game time we want to give to players who just returned from their national teams, including Messi.”

Midfielder Diego Gomez, who also returned from international duty with Paraguay, was left on the bench alongside Messi. Meanwhile, Inter Miami fielded the rest of their usual starters, including goalkeeper Drake Callender, defenders Chelo Weigandt, Jordi Alba, and Tomas Aviles, with the legendary Luis Suárez leading the attack.

Revolution's Early Strike

The Revolution wasted no time taking advantage of Messi’s absence, with Langoni’s goal electrifying the match. The young attacker exploited Martinez's rustiness after the defender had missed several matches. Martinez’s lapse in concentration provided the opening New England needed to grab an unexpected early lead.

Despite their poor season, with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and no chance of making the playoffs, the Revolution came into the match with a point to prove. Head coach Caleb Porter had made it clear that his team wanted to protect the points record they set in 2021 when they reached 73 points in a single season.

“We’re going to be a part of history one way or another,” Porter said before the game. “We either help them set a new record, or we prevent it from happening.”

Inter Miami’s Response Without Messi

Without Messi on the field, Inter Miami struggled to find rhythm in the opening stages. The usual creativity and flair brought by the Argentine star were noticeably absent, and the team found it difficult to break down a New England side determined to play spoiler. The Revolution, despite their struggles this season, played with intensity, making it hard for Miami to settle into their usual style of play.

Veteran forward Luis Suárez led the attack, and while he had moments of brilliance, the team lacked the cutting edge that Messi’s playmaking provides. Robert Taylor and Benja Cremaschi worked hard in midfield to push the game forward, but the absence of Messi’s vision and ability to unlock defenses was palpable.

Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

Martino’s decision to rest Messi could pay off in the long run. With the Supporters’ Shield already in the bag and a top seed in the playoffs secured, the Argentine manager clearly has his eyes set on the bigger prize. The playoffs start on October 25, and Messi’s health will be crucial if Miami hopes to make a deep run.

As for breaking the MLS points record, it may be an opportunity missed, but the focus is on the playoffs and making history in another way—by lifting the MLS Cup.

Conclusion: A Tactical Gamble

While the absence of Lionel Messi might have frustrated some fans eager to witness their star in action, Martino’s decision to prioritize the playoffs is understandable. New England Revolution’s early goal made for a challenging night, but with the playoffs just around the corner, Inter Miami will need Messi at his best. As the team looks to bounce back and refocus, only time will tell if Martino’s gamble will ultimately pay off.