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Why Lionel Messi Isn’t Playing for Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC

The Argentine superstar already has three goals in MLS play this season.
Sophia Vesely|
Lionel Messi has 899 goals in his professional career.
Lionel Messi has 899 goals in his professional career. | Chris Carter/Getty Images

Inter Miami will not feature Lionel Messi for Saturday’s road match against Charlotte FC.

Manager Javier Mascherano decided to give rest to the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner along with Rodrigo De Paul, according to reports from Claro Sports reporter José Armando on X. Neither player will be on the bench either, as they did not travel with the team to North Carolina.

Mascherano’s precautionary choice will leave the throngs of fans at the 75,000-seat Bank of America Stadium disappointed, not only for the missed opportunity to see the international superstar, but also because Messi is just a single goal away from hitting the 900 career mark, a historic milestone achieved only once before by Messi’s former La Liga rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 965 career goals now.

Messi and De Paul rest in preparation for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 against Nashville SC, after a scoreless draw on Wednesday.

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Sophia Vesely
SOPHIA VESELY

Sophia Vesely is a writer, reporter and editor for SI FC, with an emphasis on North American coverage. Her experience comes from regional journalism as a former sports reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, Dallas Morning News and Seattle Times. Vesely graduated from Swarthmore College, where she played collegiate soccer as a wingback. She specializes in MLS, NWSL and NCAA soccer.

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