‘They can’t run’ - Why Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez have become a problem as ageing Inter Miami see ‘weaknesses’ exposed in CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final defeat

The Herons have favoured pedigree over potential in a lot of their recruitment business since seeing Manchester United legend David Beckham put an MLS expansion franchise in place. In recent times, that has meant acquiring a collection of former Barcelona superstars.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the undoubted star of the show, but he is 37 years of age. Veteran frontman Luis Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and flying full-back Jordi Alba are also approaching the end of their respective careers.

Inter Miami are now being accused of lacking the legs to compete for the grandest of prizes, with a 5-1 aggregate defeat being suffered at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps in Champions Cup competition.

Fox Sports pundit and former Premier League star Warren Barton has said: “Vancouver showed the weaknesses of Inter Miami. Because they can't run, they can't defend, and there's not a balance in the team. Because five stay up front and the other five try and defend. And they can't defend.”

Whitecaps coach Jasper Sorensen was slightly more diplomatic when telling reporters: “I think it is fair to say that we have a younger team and also a team more capable of running and playing with high intensity.

“I think we really came out very strong at the start of the second half and exploited that the pitch was very open, they had some players that stayed up front, so we had to defend with a few guys and I just said 'keep on running, run forward.”

Inter Miami, who have been carefully managing Messi’s workload this season, have now suffered three successive defeats. They will be back in MLS action on Saturday when playing host to the New York Red Bulls.