 "Lionel Messi sat out of Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup last of 16 match against Cavalier. Image: Reuters")
A Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami secured a 2-0 win over Jamaican club Cavalier FC on Thursday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last 16 first leg match at home, Chase Stadium. Messi’s close friend Luis Suarez scored the winning goal of the match after Tadeo Allende gave Miami the lead.
While no confirmation has been provided by Inter Miami, it’s said that Messi missed the first leg against Cavalier to manage his workload. This is the second consecutive match that the 37-year-old star forward has missed after sitting out an MLS match at Houston on Sunday.
Messi had practiced with the club on Tuesday and Wednesday in Inter Miami’s leadup to the first leg of the home-and-home set against Cavalier.
Why Messi missed Inter Miami’s match against Cavalier?
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Wednesday that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was not injured and added that his availability for Thursday was similar to the other active players on the roster. However, he was not picked.
Miami is currently in a stretch of four matches in 11 days. After Thursday’s match, Inter Miami will resume league play against Charlotte on Sunday before its second leg against Cavalier on March 13 in Kingston, Jamaica.
This could be a major reason why Mascherano would have decided to rest Messi. Giving Messi a rest amid a busy schedule is the best way to keep the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner away from injuries.
Besides playing for Inter Miami, Messi is also expected to feature for Argentina during the international break in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Uruguay (March 22) and Brazil (March 26).
Messi has already played in five preseason friendlies for Miami, along with its MLS season opener against New York City FC.
With agency inputs