Explained: Why Lionel Messi sat out third straight game for Inter Miami – as MLS outfit admit to change of plan when it comes to injury 'risk'

Argentine superstar Messi figured prominently at the start of the 2025 campaign, with his first competitive goals of the new year being recorded in a two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Sporting KC. He also figured in a 2-2 draw with New York City FC.

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The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has, however, not seen any game time since February 25. Messi was left out of matchday plans for a MLS win over the Houston Dynamo and a Champions Cup clash with Cavalier, before returning to the bench in a home date with Charlotte.

He was not introduced in that contest, despite Inter Miami being reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was sent off in the 38th minute, with Mascherano telling reporters of why he is reluctant to take any fitness gambles: “The reality is that in the case of Leo maybe we had thought about giving him minutes in the game. But since the game was played with one man less, and taking into consideration the time he has without playing, we thought that the best thing was to preserve it. We didn't want to risk it.”

Messi is not nursing an injury, but his workload is being carefully managed during a busy schedule for Inter Miami. Mascherano added: “It's a long season for us. We have a tough game Thursday. Will be difficult, difficult in Jamaica. So we have to be ready. It's not easy. We are playing every three, four days. We are tired. The squad is not too long. We have some injuries, but we keep going forward. In football, we have two ways: excuses or results. And we have to choose results.”

The return leg of their last-16 showdown with Cavalier is next on the agenda for Inter Miami, before then heading out on the road to face Atlanta United in MLS. A domestic break will then be taken in, but Messi could figure for Argentina in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.