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Inter Miami's star player, Lionel Messi, will not feature in the team’s Major League Soccer match against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday. The decision to rest Messi is part of the club's strategy to manage his workload throughout the season.
No injury concerns for Lionel Messi
A spokesperson for the club confirmed to AFP that Messi did not travel with the team to Houston on Saturday. The decision to sit out was not due to any injury; rather, the 37-year-old forward is being rested to ensure his peak performance throughout the season.
This move comes as part of Inter Miami's plan to manage the minutes of their key players in a packed fixture schedule.
A high-profile game with Apple TV broadcast
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 busy schedule
Inter Miami has had a hectic start to their 2025 season. Their MLS opener last week was sandwiched between the two legs of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round tie. Messi participated in all those games, but the decision was made to rest him for Sunday’s match.
This would have been his fourth match in just 12 days, which is considered a heavy load for a player of Messi’s age.
Upcoming CONCACAF action and march fixtures
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will be back in CONCACAF action this Thursday when they host Jamaican club Cavalier for the first leg of their two-legged tie. Messi is expected to feature in that game, continuing his crucial role in the team’s international campaign.
As for March, Inter’s packed schedule will continue with their first eight games of the season scheduled within just 26 days. This intense run of fixtures underscores the need for player rotation, with Messi's involvement carefully planned to ensure he remains fresh throughout the campaign.
Team training and Luis Suarez's involvement
Messi participated in Friday’s training session with his teammates, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. However, while Messi stayed behind in Miami, Suarez has made the trip to Houston and will be available for Sunday’s match.
