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Inter Miami Announce Lionel Messi Update After Missing Charlotte FC Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 9:13 AM ET

Last night, Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Charlotte FC in the MLS at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The MLS champions remain among the top positions of the Eastern Conference league table.

The team managed to gain a point despite the fact that head coach Javier Mascherano played a heavily rotated squad. The team was missing key players in the lineup, including Lionel Messi.

Not only did Messi miss out on the starting lineup, but the Argentine star was not a part of the squad. It was later revealed that Messi did not travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, with the rest of the team.

Messi's last appearance for Inter Miami was during a mid-week first-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Nashville SC, where the match also finished in a 0-0 draw.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at GEODIS Park on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images)Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images

After the MLS match against Charlotte FC, Javier Mascherano did not speak in a post-match press conference following the red card he received late in the match. His assistant coach, Javier Morales, was asked about Messi's absence.

Javier Morales on Lionel Messi's Absence

Javier Morales, Inter Miami assistant coach, spoke with the media after the MLS Champions drew 0-0 with Charlotte FC away from home.

Morales was asked about Messi's absence from the squad and confirmed that the Argentine star is fine and hinted that the player was rested to focus on the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Nashville SC this week.

Morales said, "There are important matches ahead of us, especially on Wednesday in the Concacaf Champions Cup... Those are decisions that we take as the coaching staff. We have been playing a lot of games. Wednesdays, Saturdays. We have an important game at home, so Javier [Mascherano] and the coaching staff thought this was the best decision [to rest Messi]."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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