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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi started game on bench</li><li>Ronaldo already withdrawn through injury</li><li>Inter Miami star came on late in embarrassing defeat</li></ul>

Explained: Why Inter Miami subbed on Lionel Messi for final seven minutes – despite being 6-0 down against Cristiano Ronaldo-less Al-Nassr

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr FC

Al Qadasiya

<p>The Portuguese superstar was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-s-last-dance-lionel-messi-off-al-nassr-superstar-ruled-out-inter-miami-riyadh-season-cup-clash/blt32803230dfca74e5" target="_blank">officially ruled out on Wednesday through injury</a>, depriving fans of what was billed <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cristiano-ronald-lionel-messi-inter-miami-al-nassr/blt841e15f8b42c4949" target="_blank">the 'Last Dance' between football's two eternal rivals</a>. Messi also did not feature from the start due to a minor injury problem. ESPN's <a href="https://twitter.com/leoparadizo/status/1753090287528767623">Leo Paradizo</a> 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.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight’s Starting XI vs Al Nassr<br><br>1PM ET | 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSSeasonPass?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSSeasonPass</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/AppleTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AppleTV</a>: <a href="https://t.co/bLZZiKUtPB">https://t.co/bLZZiKUtPB</a> <a href="https://t.co/wODnoQnQiP">pic.twitter.com/wODnoQnQiP</a></p>— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF/status/1753113169290215488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>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.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Explained: Why Inter Miami subbed on Lionel Messi for final seven minutes – despite being 6-0 down against Cristiano Ronaldo-less Al-Nassr | Goal.com

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.