Lionel Messi Absent In The Second Match In A Row For Inter Miami

Lionel Messi (right) is resting in the last two matches of Inter Miami (Instagram/@intermimatif).

JAKARTA - Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano insists Lionel Messi has not suffered an injury after the player was not on the cast list for the second match in a row.

Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami won 2-0 over Cavalier in the first leg of the Champions Cup Concacaf last 16 at Chase Stadium on Friday, March 7, 2025, early morning WIB.

Messi also missed Miami's win over Houston Dynamo at MLS (Major League Soccer) last weekend, causing the Texas side to offer fans a free ticket to those games for another game at the end of this season.

"Regarding Leo, I followed what the doctor said. The doctor said he had no injuries or scars."

"He was exhausted after playing three games in six days. Weather changes, there are a lot of situations."

"Because we wanted to look after him and didn't want to make him feel tired, we decided to rest him, knowing the risks we faced."

"Obviously, not having the best players in the world is complicated. However, we also have to move forward and know how to play without it," said Mascherano.

Media watched the first 15 minutes of training on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, early in the morning local time, where Messi seemed to be playing normally with his teammates.

Fafa Picault is the only Inter Miami player to train separately from the group as he recovered from his injury in the first week of the 2025 season.

Messi also participated in the practice ahead of the match against Houston Dynamo before failing to travel with the club.

However, Herons managed to perform well without the captain. Goals from Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende sealed victory in the first leg of the Champions Cup Concacaf last 16 against Cavalier.

Cavalier initially scored in the first half, before VAR overturned the decision when it found offside evidence.

Inter Miami returned to the pitch in the second half with new energy and took advantage of the momentum by scoring the first goal in the 61st minute.

Suarez's efforts to double the lead gave Inter Miami a convenient approach for the second leg on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Jamaica.

The Herons are now preparing to host Charlotte FC on Sunday, March 9, 2025, evening local time, at the Chase Stadium in the regular MLS season.