Inter Miami visit Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer and Lionel Messi is not part of the squad.
This Saturday, Charlotte FC face Inter Miami on Matchday 4 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season at Bank of America Stadium. As happens every time the Herons visit another city, the expectation is to see Lionel Messi, but this time fans will be disappointed.
The Argentine forward is not part of the starting lineup selected by head coach Javier Mascherano, nor is he on the bench. In fact, reports indicate that he did not even travel with his teammates to North Carolina for this match.
The reason for that absence reportedly has nothing to do with physical issues or tactical decisions by the coach, but rather with a precautionary choice. “Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be absent from tonight’s match in Charlotte. The coaching staff decided to give them rest,” reporter Jose Armando wrote on his X account.
* Developing story