Is Lionel Messi injured? Why Inter Miami star sat out CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Cavalier having already missed MLS win over the Houston Dynamo

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has sat out back-to-back fixtures for the Herons. He played no part in a MLS win over the Houston Dynamo, leading to the Texas-based outfit offering free tickets to those that missed out on the Messi experience.

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Inter Miami’s talismanic captain did train ahead of a Champions Cup meeting with Jamaican outfit Cavalier FC, but watched on from the sidelines as goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg of that last-16 encounter.

Quizzed afterwards on why Messi has seen no game time since February 26, Herons boss Javier Mascherano told reporters: “As for Leo, I follow what the doctors tell me. The doctors told me that he doesn't have any injuries or scars. He is fatigued after playing three games in six days.

“The changes in weather, there have been a lot of situations. And since we want to take care of him and we don't want to make him feel fatigued, we decided to give him rest, knowing the risks we're facing. Obviously, not having the best player in the world is complicated. But we also have to take a step forward and know how to play without him.”

Messi could feature in a MLS home date with Charlotte FC on Sunday, but further load management could then be on the cards as Inter Miami face Cavalier next Thursday before returning to domestic action away at Atlanta United three days later.