Lionel Messi has expressed his frustration after serving a one-match suspension imposed by the MLS, admitting that the enforced rest hampered his performance on his return to action. The Argentine star assisted both goals in Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Atlas in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday, but struggled in the first half.
Messi was banned for missing the MLS All-Star Game, with league rules stipulating a one-match suspension for any player who skips the event without a valid injury. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano later cited fatigue as the reason for Messi's absence, but the league enforced the penalty anyway.
Speaking after the Atlas match, Messi said: 'The truth is that it was difficult with the heat, and not having played the other day. Even if the rest seems better, for me it's worse because I need to compete. I feel good physically the more matches I play and get into rhythm. The other day they didn't let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won.'
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami drew with FC Cincinnati on Saturday. He returned to set up Telasco Segovia's equaliser and Marcelo Weigandt's stoppage-time winner, which was initially ruled out for offside before being overturned by VAR.
Messi has now scored or assisted 21 of Inter Miami's last 27 goals in all competitions since late May, underlining his immense influence. Team-mate Jordi Alba was also handed a similar ban for missing the All-Star Game, while MLS commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the situation last week, stating that the league would 'manage through' the rules.
