Why Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami’s MLS draw

Lionel Messi was left out of Inter Miami's squad as they played out a goalless draw against Charlotte. The decision to leave Messi out was strategic rather than injury-related: having played the full 90 minutes against Nashville SC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 just days prior, the coaching staff opted to protect their prized asset.

Rotations across the Herons squad saw Rodrigo De Paul also omitted from the starting XI and the substitutes' bench. In the absence of the World Cup winners, Luis Suarez was handed his first start of the season and led the line, but without the service of his long-time partner Messi he found opportunities hard to come by.

The draw leaves the reigning MLS Cup champions with seven points from their opening four fixtures, a respectable start despite the frustration of Saturday's stalemate. Assistant coach Javier Morales explained the collective decision after the match: "These are decisions we have to make as a coaching staff.

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