The captain of Inter Miami in the United States and the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, will not participate in the match this Thursday against Cavalier from Jamaica for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Concachampions at 10:00 PM. U.S. media anticipated that the Rosario native would not be in the squad to face the Jamaican team, a fact that was confirmed with the official presentation of the starting eleven and substitutes of the team led by Javier Mascherano.
In a press conference last Wednesday, Mascherano mentioned that Messi had suffered a muscle overload, which is why he was not present in the 4-1 victory over Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer. Although no further details were provided about the injury, there was speculation about the Argentine star's participation in the Concacaf, but it was eventually ruled out.
Fans who were hoping to see Messi's talent in the match will have to wait until the return leg on March 13 to see him in action. On the other hand, Messi was included in the preliminary list of players called up by Lionel Scaloni, head coach of the Argentine National Team, for the South American Qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil on the 21st and 25th of this month.
Messi's continued absences have raised concerns among the albiceleste coaching staff, who will soon need to determine the official list of players called up for the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
