The Lionel Messi effect! Shocking statistic shows Inter Miami’s reliance on Argentine superstar after latest defeat to Monterrey in CONCACAF Champions Cup

The Argentine legend has had a massive transformative effect on the Herons since he joined the MLS outfit as a free agent in the previous summer. With his goals, assists and outstanding leadership, Messi fired them to the inaugural Leagues Cup win after they were labelled as the worst team in MLS since they occupied the bottom place in the Supporter's Shield table before his arrival.

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Messi's absence came back to haunt Miami again as they suffered a 2-1 loss in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, despite being in control for the bulk of the match. It was their seventh loss in 12 matches without the 2022 World Cup winner which highlights their over-reliance on the 36-year-old. However, they tend to become a different side altogether when Messi takes the pitch as they have won 11 out of 19 games, with just two losses and six draws.

After Messi was forced to be hooked off with an injury in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup last-16 encounter with Nashville, five minutes into the second half, Tata Martino was quizzed whether his team is overly reliant on the superstar.

He said: "What I want to emphasise is that he has been a very important player for 15 years at Barcelona, a couple of years at Paris Saint-Germain, and all the national team games of Argentina. Why would he not be for us? It is not just replacing a player, it’s replacing the best player of all time. So what we have to do is readapt our game because of his loss, his exit."

Messi missed his fourth successive game due to injury on Wednesday evening. What is more troubling for Inter Miami fans is the uncertainty of his return as Martino was unable to put a date on his next availability.

The Herons' boss said: "Well, as we mentioned, things are improving day by day. Playing him today was risky, as he is not completely ready, and this will be the case against Colorado and, the next Monterrey match.”

Martino must figure out a blueprint to win matches without the services of Messi as games come thick and fast. They will be back in action on Saturday evening against Colorado before facing Monterrey on April 10 in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.