VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Lionel Messi will not play in Inter Miami’s game in Vancouver against the Whitecaps on Saturday, a move that coach Gerardo Martino said was based on the team’s busy schedule.
Messi and his teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets will not play for Major League Soccer leader Miami (9-2-4) in the match that was expected to draw more than 50,000 spectators. Miami has two home games scheduled for next week.
“We felt it was more prudent for them not to play this game,” Martino said Friday. “They have been training but will not be available for the game.
“Obviously we understand the frustration of people who want to see these players play. We, as coaches, sometimes have to make very difficult decisions in football. But we always have to keep the health of the players in mind first.”
Messi missed other MLS games, in Orlando, New York and Washington. The 36-year-old Argentine star has scored 10 goals in 10 MLS games this season and leads the league in assists with 12.
Martino noted that BC Place’s artificial grass had no influence on the decision. Not using the players meant saving them tiring travel and a three-hour time change, he said.
After the game against Vancouver, seventh place in the Western Conference, Miami hosts Atlanta on Wednesday and St. Louis next Saturday.
In the past, MLS has chosen not to schedule midweek games for teams that have traveled long distances or scheduled another away game nearby, Martino added.
“But it’s not a complaint,” he said. “We understand in our specific case that the players we are talking about are very important for everyone. But the health of these players is the priority.”
MLS issued a statement on Friday saying it “will continue to review measures on how clubs report player availability.”
“Major League Soccer recognizes fans’ disappointment when key players are unavailable for matches,” the statement said. “Each MLS club makes its own personal and competitive decisions based on what they believe is in the best interests of the club and each player.”
Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini said he is also disappointed.
“It’s a bummer like it is for everyone else,” Sartini said. “You would also love to have the opportunity to play against a lot of very strong, quality players and probably the best player of the last 20 or 30 years. But it is what it is. The main focus is to play well.”
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