Inter Miami coach Mascherano opens up on failed plan after leaving Lionel Messi on the bench vs Charlotte

Inter Miami fans were left disappointed during the MLS match against Charlotte FC when Lionel Messi remained on the bench. Following another victory for the team, coach Javier Mascherano addressed the failed plan to give Messi playing time.

Messi had been left out of Inter Miami’s squad for the previous two games due to fatigue following a congested start to the season. For the Charlotte match, he was included on the bench, prompting fans to chant his name during the game, hoping to see him in action.

However, Messi ultimately didn’t feature, frustrating fans once again. In his post-match press conference, Mascherano explained how the initial plan to involve Messi fell through: “In Leo’s case, the reality is that we had planned to give him some minutes at some point during the match.”

The coach explained that goalkeeper Oscar Ustari’s red card disrupted those plans. “But given how the game unfolded, with one man down and considering how long he’s been without playing, we believed the best decision was to preserve him and not take any risks in that situation,” Mascherano admitted.

Ustari’s dismissal in the 38th minute forced Mascherano to adjust by bringing on goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. In the second half, he had limited options from the bench, relying mostly on defensive players such as Ian Fray, David Martinez, Federico Redondo, and David Ruiz.

With Inter Miami clinging to a 1-0 lead against Charlotte, there was little opportunity for Messi to make an impact in a match where the team managed just one shot on target — Tadeo Allende’s goal — and held only 29% possession after halftime.

When will Messi return for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami’s next match is on Thursday in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 against Cavalier SC. Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, Messi’s availability remains uncertain, with one key factor being the team’s travel to Jamaica for the fixture.

If Messi is rested for that game, his next potential appearance could come the following week in an MLS match against Atlanta United. That match will take place just before the international break, where Messi has been called up to represent Argentina — a commitment that remains a top priority for him.