Is Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC today?

Lionel Messi is the main draw any time Inter Miami play anywhere on the planet. But the Argentina will miss the Herons’ trip to Charlotte FC on Saturday, giving him time to rest ahead of next week’s CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Nashville SC.

According to reports, Messi did not arrive in Charlotte alongside the rest of the Inter Miami roster on Friday, making his way north on Saturday instead. Head coach Javier Mascherano has made a number of changes to key players, leaving out Messi and Rodrigo de Paul. Big-money offseason signing German Berterame starts on the bench, giving Luis Suarez the change to feature from the start.

Miami balancing MLS and Champions Cup

Messi played the full 90 minutes, and was unusually quiet, as Las Garzas drew 0-0 in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 away to Nashville on Wednesday.

The decisive return leg will be played next Wednesday, March 18, so Mascherano will be especially keen to ensure none of his players, Messi in particular, pick up injuries or burn themselves out before one of the most important games of the season.

Inter Miami have played four games this season, with Messi playing every minute. The 38-year-old scored three goals in the opening three rounds of the 2026 MLS season.

The Argentine will not have the chance to improve on his poor record against Saturday’s opponents. In three previous MLS games against Charlotte FC, Messi has never come out on the winning side, losing twice. He scored in a 1-1 draw between the teams in Miami in September 2024. Messi did, however, star in a 4-0 win over the Crown in the Leagues Cup in August 2023, also finding the net once.

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