Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami’s final training session ahead of their match against Charlotte FC, with head coach Javier Mascherano addressing the likelihood of the star player suiting up. Inter Miami fans are eagerly awaiting Lionel Messi’s return to the pitch after the Argentine missed the first leg of the Champions Cup Round of 16 clash against Cavalier SC.

Question marks surround Lionel Messi's fitness ahead of Inter Miami's clash with Charlotte. Inter Miami come into their third match of the 2025 Major League Soccer season after comfortably defeating Cavalier 2–0 in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16.

Charlotte tied its season opener 2-2 against the Seattle Sounders and beat Atlanta United 2-0 on Saturday. Wilfried Zaha, making his MLS debut, set up one of Charlotte’s goals and scoring another. Zaha, the 32-year-old from Ivory Coast, scored 68 goals for Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.

It's going to be a very busy spring, summer, and fall for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, who are led by Javier Mascherano in their defense of the Supporters' Shield and quest for a first MLS Cup.

Luis Suárez and Tadeo Allende scored second-half goals with a healthy Lionel Messi on the bench, and Inter Miami beat Jamaican club Cavalier FC 2-0 in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup group of 16 match.

Lionel Messi sat out a second straight game for Inter Miami in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup match against Cavalier FC on Thursday at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami is hoping to have Lionel Messi back as they host a tough MLS foe in Charlotte FC. Here's what to know to watch Sunday's game.

Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Group of 16 home match against Jamaican club Cavalier FC.

Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he is optimistic Lionel Messi could make the roster for the match against Charlotte FC on Sunday night at Chase Stadium, though added he was unwilling to take unnecessary risks with the star player.