Lionel Messi relaxes with stunning wife Antonela, two of their sons and his trademark mate tea as he rests up for Miami’s must-win MLS game against Nashville on Wednesday night
Lionel Messi relaxes with stunning wife Antonela, two of their sons and his trademark mate tea as he rests up for Miami’s must-win MLS game against Nashville on Wednesday night
- Lionel Messi was rested for Inter Miami’s win at New York Red Bulls Saturday
- He is set to return to the starting line-up for Wednesday’s game vs. Nashville
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Lionel Messi has been enjoying some much needed family time in Miami after a whirlwind start to his soccer revolution in the United States.
The superstar shared some pictures on social media with his stunning wife, Antonela, and their two oldest sons Thiago and Mateo after his recent heroics on the soccer field.
The Argentina star was also seen sipping mate tea – the health drink that is extremely popular among athletes from south America – with a personalized Inter Miami flask of warm water.
It comes as Messi started his first Major League Soccer game as a substitute on Saturday night against the New York Red Bulls.
He came off the bench and scored in the second half as his team started its push to make the playoffs with a 2-0 victory in the Big Apple.
Miami coach Tata Martino started him as a substitute after Messi had played 120 minutes in the penalty shootout victory against Cincinnati last Wednesday night.
‘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,’ Martino said after Wednesday’s win over Cincinnati.
Miami are next in action on Wednesday night against Nashville in MLS – the team they beat on penalties 10 days ago in the Leagues Cup final.
Messi will likely return, given that Nashville are one of the trickier opponents Miami will face in this final third of the MLS season.
He has scored 11 goals in nine games for Miami so far but his team is still 11 points adrift of the playoff places. Chicago Fire occupies the ninth and final position for post-season and Miami is 14th, although Miami has played two games less.
After Wednesday’s game against Nashville, Messi and Miami head to Los Angeles to play MLS Cup holder LAFC.
Meanwhile, it emerged at the weekend that Messi’s 10-year-old son Thiago has joined the Inter Miami academy.
