Messi starts on Miami bench following World Cup

Lionel Messi made a highly anticipated return to action with Inter Miami on Saturday, but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was surprisingly relegated to the bench at the start of the match. The 35-year-old Argentine superstar, who captained his country to a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat against France last month, was named in the squad for the first time since that disappointing loss. Despite his prolonged absence from the pitch, Messi's presence is expected to boost Inter Miami's chances of securing a much-needed win against a tough opponent.

The decision to start Messi from the bench has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike, with some speculating that the club's management may be taking a cautious approach to avoid putting too much pressure on the aging forward. However, others believe that Messi's prolonged layoff has simply left him in need of some match fitness, and that starting him from the bench will allow him to gradually build up his endurance without putting the team at risk of losing.

Inter Miami's manager, Phil Neville, remained tight-lipped about the decision to start Messi from the bench, stating only that the team's strategy was centered around finding the right balance between maintaining a strong defensive presence and creating scoring opportunities. Whatever the reasoning behind the decision, one thing is clear: Messi's return to action is a significant boost for the team, and his presence on the pitch is sure to captivate fans and inspire his teammates to push for a win.

As Inter Miami looks to bounce back from a series of disappointing results, the team will be counting on Messi's experience and skill to help them secure a much-needed victory. With the Argentine forward slowly regaining his fitness, fans can expect to see a more dynamic and attacking style of play from Inter Miami in the coming weeks. For now, however, it remains to be seen how Messi will perform from the bench, and whether he will be able to make a significant impact on the game when he is eventually called upon.