Lionel Messi has been defended by Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano after missing a penalty against Charlotte. Having been handed a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the Herons’ latest MLS fixture, their talismanic skipper saw a woeful Panenka attempt easily kept out by Kristijan Kahlina - who barely had to move in order to make a notable save.

Inter Miami returned to MLS action with a heavy 3-0 defeat away at Charlotte FC, as Lionel Messi missed a Panenka-style penalty with the score still at 0-0. Dean Smith’s side celebrated their ninth straight win, climbing to third place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points, while Miami sits eighth with 46.

Messi was largely contained by Charlotte and Miami looked rudderless without suspended striker Suarez on the pitch

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Friday that Lionel Messi is fully fit and ready to feature against Charlotte FC this weekend as MLS resumes following the international break. The Miami manager confirmed that Messi trained with the first team following his return from World Cup qualification duty with Argentina.

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