Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo on Sunday as part of the club’s workload management plan.
Highlights:
- Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo on Sunday
- Messi is not injured. He was rested to stay fresh for the season.
- Messi trained with his teammates on Friday, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.
Inter Miami’s star Lionel Messi will miss Sunday’s MLS match against Houston Dynamo as part of the club’s plan to manage his workload throughout the season.
Lionel Messi has no injury concerns but is being rested for workload management.
A club representative informed AFP that Messi remained behind as the team traveled to Houston on Saturday. His absence is not due to an injury; rather, the 37-year-old forward is being given rest to preserve his peak condition throughout the season.
This decision is part of Inter Miami’s strategy to manage key players’ minutes amid a busy schedule.
The match is a high-profile fixture, set to be broadcast on Apple TV.
The match on Sunday is especially notable as it has been selected for the new “Sunday Night Soccer” broadcast, aired on Apple TV. Major League Soccer (MLS) aims to use this broadcast to increase visibility and fan engagement with the league.
Despite the high-profile nature of the match, Messi’s rest aligns with the club’s long-term approach to preserving the health of its aging star.
Inter Miami’s packed schedule demands careful player management.
Inter Miami has had a busy start to 2025, balancing MLS and CONCACAF matches. Messi played in the first three games but was rested on Sunday to manage his workload. At his age, four matches in 12 days would be demanding, so the decision aimed to keep him fresh for key fixtures.
Inter Miami trains hard. Suarez joins and works with the team.
Inter Miami continues training ahead of their clash with Cavalier SC. Luis Suarez is actively involved, building chemistry with Messi and the squad. His experience adds strength to the attack.
