Why Lionel Messi has missed three consecutive matches for Inter Miami

Javier Mascherano has shed light on Lionel Messi's absence from Inter Miami's last three matches, including their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Charlotte.

Messi had been a key player early in 2025, scoring in a two-legged CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Sporting KC and appearing in a 2-2 MLS draw with New York City FC. However, the Argentine icon hasn’t featured since February 25.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was left out of the lineup for an MLS win against Houston Dynamo and a Champions Cup match against Cavalier. He returned to the bench for the game against Charlotte but remained unused, even after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari's red card in the 38th minute reduced Miami to 10 men.

Mascherano, Inter Miami manager, explained his cautious approach to managing Messi’s minutes, stating: “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.”

While Messi is not injured, his schedule is being carefully managed amidst a congested fixture list. Mascherano elaborated: “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.”

Inter Miami’s immediate focus is the return leg of their Champions Cup last-16 tie against Cavalier before an MLS clash with Atlanta United. After that, a domestic break may give Messi the chance to feature for Argentina in their World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.