Lionel Messi reportedly does not travel for Inter Miami match vs. Houston Dynamo

Lionel Messi has reportedly not traveled with Inter Miami to Houston for their match against the Dynamo on Sunday evening.

The Argentine, however, is not injured. He is being held out due to a coach's decision over match congestion.

The Miami Herald was the first to report about Messi's absence.

The news arrives after Inter Miami had already played three matches in the span of seven days this past week due to their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie with Sporting Kansas City, and their MLS Matchday 1 clash against New York City FC.

Back in the continental competition this coming week, the Argentine is expected to play at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday in their Round of 16 Champions Cup game against Jamaican side Cavalier SC.

Asked on Friday about Messi's health, manager Javier Mascherano replied: “Leo is fine. He is OK. He will train normally like the rest of his teammates.”

Asked if he believes that the jam-packed schedule will force more rotation throughout the year with his squad, including Messi, the Herons manager added:

“Look, every situation and season is different and you have to put everything in context,” Mascherano said. “We played in a knockout round [last week]. There was no way to rotate the roster. We started the season in Kansas, where the Champions League is an important competition for us.

“In between those two games, we had the start of the MLS season. That is also one of the competitions we aim to win. So, when we talk about being able to rotate and rest the players, we must see the context. We had to play three games in [seven] days.

“We didn’t have the necessary rest, because we were changed on the first match date. It is what it is, we adapt to the circumstances.”

Miami's last meeting with the Dynamo was on Sept. 27, 2023, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, where the Dynamo defeated the Herons 2-0. Messi missed that match due to injury.

The Herons clash with the Houston Dynamo Sunday evening on Matchday 2 in the primetime Sunday Night Soccer slot on Apple TV.