Inter Miami must learn to win without Lionel Messi, coach Tata Martino insists after World Cup winner sits out most of his MLS debut… before coming on to score in Red Bulls victory

Tata Martino says Inter Miami has to get used to winning without Lionel Messi after the World Cup winner sat out most of his Major League Soccer debut against the New York Red Bulls.

Much to the disappointment of the record crowd at the Red Bull Arena, Messi started on the bench – alongside Sergio Busquets – before capping off a 30-minute cameo with a brilliant goal to secure victory.

Messi watched from the sidelines as Diego Gomez put Miami on course for a first MLS win in 12 games before scoring his 11th goal in nine appearances.

Martino ignored the rumor and opted to rest Messi after a whirlwind first month in Miami, which saw the 36-year-old amass more than 700 minutes of playing time.

“The most important thing is that we like and appreciate winning like this because it’s something we have to get used to,” said Martino.

Leo will miss at least three matches and will be called up by his national team (Argentina has World Cup qualifiers in September, October and November).

“And others too, and we know the team has to keep winning in these times.”

This victory lifted Miami from the bottom of the Eastern Conference and keeps the team’s small hopes of reaching the MLS playoffs alive. With eleven regular season games to go, Martino’s team is more than ten points behind.

And then the manager talked about the importance of proving that they can do without their talisman.

“I think it’s the first time we play without him since the game against Cruz Azul (Messi’s debut). The reaction of the team without him was great in the first hour,” said Martino.

“We controlled the game for a large part and took the lead. We had to do this so we knew we could win without him. The response was satisfactory.’