Why is Lionel Messi not playing for Inter Miami in CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Cavalier?
Why is Lionel Messi not playing for Inter Miami in CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Cavalier?
Inter Miami will be without the services of star player and captain Lionel Messi when it hosts Cavalier for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 first leg at the Chase Stadium in on Friday.
Inter Miami will look to continue its unbeaten start to the season when it hosts the Jamaican club. Miami comes into the tie after beating Sporting KC 4-1 on aggregate in the first round.
On the other hand, Cavalier will be playing its first game of the campaign in the competition after qualifying directly for the last 16 after winning the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup last year.
This is the second consecutive match that the Argentine World Cup winner has missed after not travelling with the squad to face Houston Dynamo in their Major League Soccer match earlier this week.
The decision could be an anticipated move from coach Javier Mascherano to rest the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for the tougher games to come in the season. Miami is set to host Charlotte FC in the league on Monday.
The omission could also be a precaution to prevent any injuries to the 37-year-old who is expected to be in action during the international break for Argentina as it faces Uruguay (March 22) and Brazil (March 26) in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Messi has already featured in five preseason friendlies for Miami as well as its MLS season opener against New York City FC.
He also scored twice across both legs of the Champions Cup first round win against Sporting KC.
Spanirad Sergio Busquets captains the club in the absence of Messi.
