Inter Miami coach Tata Martino SLAMS rival American fans for anger at injured Lionel Messi missing games: ‘In no other place would they worry if the opposing team’s best player wasn’t playing’

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino appeared to hit football fans in the United States after once again having to answer to disappointed fans who didn’t see Lionel Messi play.

Messi missed his fourth straight game in Miami on Wednesday night – a 4-1 loss to Chicago Fire in Illinois – as he continued his recovery from a scar tissue problem.

There was a record 62,124 people watching the game at Soldier Field, even without Messi, and the Fire offered fans $250 as a credit for a 2024 season ticket because it appeared Messi would likely not play.

Speaking to reporters after his team were badly beaten, Martino admitted he was unimpressed as he had to repeatedly explain Messi’s absence.

“I understand the expectations in Chicago, just like other places, but if a player isn’t able to play, he can’t play,” Martino said.

‘Under no circumstances can we force him to play. I think it is very strange in the context of world football that a manager has to explain to the opponents why the best player in the world is not playing.

“They are situations that arise only because it is about him and because we are here in the United States. Nowhere else would the home fans be concerned if the opponent’s best player wasn’t playing.’

The heavy defeat leaves Miami five points outside the play-offs with three games to play. Their fate is no longer in their own hands.

“With sadness, as we see the last chances disappear, we are no longer dependent on ourselves,” he said.

“There may be a minimal possibility and other results may or may not help us.”

Martino has admitted he has struggled to balance the demands of the season with a side that has reached the cup final twice – winning the Leagues Cup and losing the US Open Cup final.

“With the deterioration that the team has experienced in the last 15 days, I don’t think the problem lies solely in what our opponents are doing,” Martino said.

Martino has expressed his frustration at fans’ expectations that they will see Messi play sooner.

The Argentine star started his first MLS game as a substitute before coming off the bench to score against New York Red Bulls in August.

“Leo and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from today we will start to evaluate this – how do I approach the next three matches,” Martino said.

Miami returns to action on Saturday night at home against Cincinnati.