Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing against Charlotte FC? Inter Miami team news

Less than a month into the new MLS season, Inter Miami’s fixture list is already filling up. The Herons played the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Nashville SC earlier this week, and have the return game next Wednesday. In between those games, a tricky trip to Eastern Conference rivals Charlotte FC.

Charlotte picked up their first win of the season last weekend and will bring real confidence into Saturday’s game against Inter Miami. Charlotte will hope that Miami’s busy schedule seems to have convinced Javier Mascherano to rotate his squad, leaving Lionel Messi out of the team.

Inter Miami team news

With the Nashville second leg on the horizon, Mascherano is expected to make changes for the Charlotte game. Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul are not in the Miami starting XI, giving the likes of Luis Suarez, Mateo Silvetti and David Ayala a chance to play from the start.

It’s good news for Charlotte as they look for a second successive win at home. Dean Smith’s team opened at Bank of America Stadium with a victory over Austin FC last weekend.

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