da esoccer bet: Inter Miami sent on Lionel Messi for the final seven minutes of their clash with Al-Nassr and with the team already 6-0 down.
da bet vitoria: Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Messi started game on benchRonaldo already withdrawn through injuryInter Miami star came on late in embarrassing defeatWHAT HAPPENED?
The Portuguese superstar was officially ruled out on Wednesday through injury, depriving fans of what was billed the 'Last Dance' between football's two eternal rivals. Messi also did not feature from the start due to a minor injury problem. ESPN's Leo Paradizo reported that Messi was injured but could still play due to contractual commitments with organisers. The World Cup winner was not named in the squad initially but a revised teamsheet was then issued which showed Messi was on the bench. Tata Martino subsequently went on to call for his superstar late on with his team already 6-0 down and just seven minutes remaining.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi had featured in Miami's last three friendly matches but was withdrawn before full time in all of them. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner missed a total of six matches for the Herons since joining last summer due to a persistent muscle injury, which appears to have been aggravated again.
DID YOU KNOW?
Even with Messi on the field, the MLS outfit lost their January pre-season friendlies against FC Dallas and Al-Hilal, while they drew against the El Salvador national team.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Inter Miami supporters will be hoping Messi's latest knock is not serious and he can return to the starting XI soon. The club are due to play a Hong Kong XI, Vissel Kobe and Newell's Old Boys before opening up their MLS campaign against Real Salt Lake.