Inter Miami beat D.C. United 3-1 without Messi

Inter Miami won 3-1 at DC United in Major League Soccer Saturday despite the absence of Lionel Messi as Luis Suárez scored the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute and added another in the 85th minute.

With the game, Luis Suarez secured his sixth goal in seven games in all competitions for the South Florida club, reports USAtoday.com.

The 37-year-old Uruguayan striker scored two goals in 23 minutes off the bench to help Inter Miami snag a 3-1 victory against D.C. United at Audi Field.

Suárez, who joined his friend Messi in Major League Soccer, entered the match as a substitute in the 62nd minute and found the back of the net in 10 minutes.

The former Barcelona star secured a brace with a goal in the 85th minute to seal Inter Miami’s victory.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said Suárez had about 30 minutes in the game and defined the game.

Although Messi stayed home in South Florida, fans saw another soccer star shine on the pitch on Saturday.

Why Messi is not playing matches?

The Argentine star was held out of a 3-2 MLS loss to Montreal on Sunday and was subbed off in the second half of a 3-1 victory over Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup second leg on Wednesday.

However, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was out of the game as he is reportedly resting a right leg injury.

Coach Martino said Messi missed his second game of the 2024 MLS season as he did not play due to a right hamstring injury.

The coach said the football star has two matches with Argentina later this month.

In early April, Inter Miami will play LIGA MX side Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. His health also is a priority for Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.