Messi had played every minute of Miami’s first three MLS fixtures this season since joining up with co-owner David Beckham’s franchise in July, but watched from the stands as the side slipped to its first defeat of the campaign.

Miami’s assistant coach Javier Morales had hinted to reporters that Messi could be rested, saying: “We all know Leo and he is a player who wants to play every game.

“I think we will have a conversation with him, see how he feels, see how he is and try to decide what is best for him because he has played 90 minutes every game and we will make the best decision thinking about the future.”

Messi took a heavy knock to the shin after scoring in the 2-2 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw with Nashville, but Morales said that was not the reason why the 36 year-old did not feature.