Javier Mascherano reveals why Lionel Messi didn't play in Inter Miami's MLS win against Charlotte?

The Argentine has not played in the last three games for the Herons.

With Inter Miami struggling to a 1-0 victory over Charlotte, Javier Mascherano has explained Lionel Messi’s absence for the third consecutive game.

The 2025 season began with Argentine sensation Messi playing a major role. He scored his first goal in competitions during a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup victory over Sporting KC. Additionally, he contributed to a 2-2 draw with New York City FC.

However, since February 25, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient has not played. Messi was benched in a home encounter against Charlotte after being left out of matchday plans for an MLS victory over the Houston Dynamo and a Champions Cup matchup with Cavalier.

Although Inter Miami were down to 10 men after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was sent off in the 38th minute, Mascherano did not introduce Messi during the match. He explained to the media why he is hesitant to take any fitness risks of the Argentine:

“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.”

Messi is not recovering from an injury. But Inter Miami have a hectic schedule. Hence Mess’s workload is being carefully tracked. Mascherano went on:

 “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 will next play Cavalier in the second leg of their last-16 match before traveling to play Atlanta United in a Major League Soccer game. After that, there will be a domestic break. Messi might play for Argentina in their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay.

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