Lionel Messi’s absence sparks concern: Will he play in Inter Miami’s new stadium opener vs Austin?

Inter Miami held its first official training session Thursday at Nu Stadium, the club’s new home set to open its doors against Austin this Saturday. The Herons are hoping the venue marks the start of a new era filled with major success.

Messi’s absence raises questions

One of the biggest talking points from Thursday’s session was the absence of Lionel Messi. The Argentine star showed signs of ankle discomfort and only took part in the opening minutes of practice before stepping aside.

Concerns quickly followed, given Messi’s importance to the team and the timing, just days before the stadium’s official debut.

Mascherano calms fears over Messi fitness

Speaking to reporters after training, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made it clear there is no cause for alarm. He explained that the decision to limit Messi’s involvement was precautionary, especially for players who recently logged minutes with their national teams during the FIFA international window.

“Neither Leo, nor Noah, nor Alex trained fully, they’re the ones who played on Tuesday,” Mascherano said. “It was planned. We just wanted them to do some light recovery work. Leo is fine, and we’re taking the normal precautions we take with everyone.”

The expectation is that Messi will be available and fully fit for Saturday’s match.

A historic moment for Inter Miami

Mascherano also spoke about the significance of the moment, expressing pride in being part of Inter Miami’s journey as the club prepares to inaugurate its new stadium.

“I’m part of this, and I happen to be here at the right time,” he said. “But this is really about the people who started this project back in 2020, the owners, and the players who have helped change the direction of this team.”

He also paid tribute to key figures like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, highlighting their importance to the club’s growth.

“It’s a moment to enjoy in my role as head coach,” Mascherano added, “but the credit belongs to those who built this and the players who made it what it is today.”

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.