‘Lionel Messi walks around most of the game!’ - Ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas reacts to talk of Inter Miami superstar needing a rest

The Argentine superstar has been busy since making his way to the United States as a free agent, with eight games taken in for new employers. Inter Miami have emerged victorious in all of those fixtures – allowing them to capture the Leagues Cup crown and progress to the final of the U.S. Open Cup.

Tata Martino has suggested that he may need to hand his talismanic captain a break, saying of Messi’s workload: “Leo and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from today we will start to evaluate this – how do I face at least the next three games. You also have to take into account the large number of games that we played in 45, 50 days.”

Lalas, who represented the New England Revolution and LA Galaxy in his playing days, is not convinced that Messi – who has mastered the art of conserving his energy – needs to be taken out of the firing line, posting on Twitter: “Load management? Messi walks around most of the game! Don't be so insecure. Messi has always walked...until it's time not to walk.”

Messi is due to make his MLS debut for Inter Miami against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with the Florida-based franchise hoping to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner deliver a reversal in fortune that lifts them off the foot of the Eastern Conference.