Lionel Messi is not starting in the lineup for the Inter Miami game in Atlanta

Lionel Messi was not in the starting lineup for Inter Miami’s game at Atlanta United on Wednesday night.

With the Herons playing their second of three games in less than a week, Messi would start the game on the bench. Coach Gerardo Martino said he does not want to overwork his star who is coming back from injury with the club as it is busy.

Another key Miami player, Luis Suárez, has also been named in the substitutes list for the game which was expected to draw a large crowd to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium – especially to see Messi.

He did not play last year when Inter Miami visited Atlanta, disappointing a crowd of 71,635. But he was on the field this time, preparing him to appear in the second half.

Messi, 37, made a dramatic return to Miami’s lineup last Saturday after a long absence, scoring two goals and assisting a third in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.

Miami has the best record in Major League Soccer and is trying to lock in home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Argentina star and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has not played against Inter Miami since June 1 due to a national team commitment and injured his right ankle during their 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.

“I’m a little tired because of the heat and humidity of Miami but I wanted to come back more after a long time,” Messi said in Spanish after the match. “I started training with the team and I started to feel better.

Messi scored two goals in four minutes in the first half to defy Philadelphia’s goal.

Suárez assisted on one of Messi’s goals and scored the winner with Messi’s assist late in the second half.

It was Suárez’s 17th goal of the season.

Messi entered Wednesday with 14 goals and 14 assists in league play, despite playing just 13 games.

It is reported by the Associated Press.

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