Messi benched for Inter Miami's match against Charlotte FC

Lionel Messi was absent from Inter Miami's lineup for their Concacaf Champions Cup match against Jamaican club Cavalier FC on Thursday, marking his second consecutive missed game due to muscular fatigue. Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, stated that Messi was not injured but had been dealing with muscle overload after a demanding schedule. Despite practicing in the days leading up to the match, Messi was not included in the roster, which sparked speculation about his availability for future games, including a league match against Charlotte. The team's performance remains strong, with a record of 4-0-1 this season. Messi has also been named in the pre-list for Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, raising concerns among fans about his fitness. Inter Miami is navigating a challenging schedule, with four matches in 11 days ahead.