VIDEO: Lionel Messi always shows up! Inter Miami star attends Montreal game with wife Antonela Roccuzzo despite seeing injury disrupt fantastic start to 2024 MLS season

The Argentine's brilliant start to the 2024 campaign was disrupted on Sunday after he was ruled out of the Eastern Conference match. An Inter Miami PR spokesperson told media present that his absence was due to 'rest' and not as the result of the shin injury he suffered after being the victim of a crunching tackle Thursday evening in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

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Across all competitions, Messi has four goals and one assist for the Herons in just four matches. The Argentine has been an crucial part of their season so far, linking up with Luis Suarez and co. in the final third to great effect.

Sunday's contest marked Inter Miami's first without Messi this season and the Argentine's only game without a goal contribution in 2024.

The Herons clash with Nashville SC on Wednesday in leg two of their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash. The two sides drew leg one 2-2, but Inter Miami scored two away goals, giving them the immediate upper hand heading into this week.

They'll look to advance to the next round of the tournament after falling to CF MTL Sunday 3-2 without their superstar.