Inter Miami’s challenge in ‘managing Messi’

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has been a ‘game-changer’ for MLS. The marketing around the Argentine footballer and his presence with the ‘Herons’ has seen the league grow by leaps and bounds.

Messi helped the club to a Leagues Cup win in 2023 and his presence with the Herons last season saw Inter Miami scoop the Supporters' Shield. However, the Argentine is 37-years-old and the club need to manage his game time and workload with his constant absences (especially for away games) starting to generate more and more noise.

Messi was not called up by Inter Miami for the first leg (home game) of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 against the Jamaican side Cavalier. The striker trained normally all week and his absence in the squad is being handled as a mystery.

The impact that Messi playing can have on matchday ticket sales has seen Inter Miami now avoid giving line-up details given until minutes before the start of the games. This is a measure that has not been well received by fans and members of the media. For the CONCACAF game, Messi’s absence was only confirmed when the club officially announced the team and subs for the clash against the Jamaicans.

In the previous round of the competition, Messi left the pitch after 69 minutes with apparent muscle fatigue and no further details were given and Mascherano even confirmed that the Argentine was in great physical condition after the match.

Messi absence causes knock-on effect

In March 2024, Messi was given a rest for Inter Miami’s visit to DC United with match ticket prices dropping dramatically minutes after his absence was confirmed.

Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo both had to react and appease home fans after Messi failed to travel with Miami with both clubs having to ‘apologise’ and offer alternative incentives to fans with tickets such as merchandise discounts with the Dynamo offering free tickets to another MLS match.

On Wednesday, at the press conference ahead of Thursday’s match, Mascherano was asked if Messi will play, and the Argentine coach replied “We’ll see. I don’t have the team yet.”

Although Mascherano did not give more details about Messi’s absence, the fact that the Argentine national team will have a two World Cup qualifying games is not lost on many.

Between injuries and rest, Messi has missed a total of 28 games in his time with Inter Miami jersey as Mascherano now is tasked with the responsibility of managing the Argentine star despite the complaints of many MLS fans who are anxious to see the player in action at close quarters.

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