Will Messi Play in Jamaica? A Deep Dive into Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup Match
The burning question on every Inter Miami fan’s mind, and indeed the minds of football enthusiasts worldwide, is whether Lionel Messi will grace the field in Kingston, Jamaica, this Thursday night. Inter Miami is set to face Cavalier FC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 matchup, and the prospect of seeing Messi back in action after a brief hiatus has generated significant buzz.
Messi has been sidelined for Inter Miami’s last three games, a period of rest deemed necessary after an early indication of fatigue during the grueling 2025 season. His absence has been a topic of much discussion, with fans eagerly awaiting his return to the pitch. The team currently holds a comfortable 2-0 aggregate lead after their first leg victory against Cavalier FC, giving them a slight cushion heading into the match at Jamaica National Stadium.
The uncertainty surrounding Messi’s participation has only fueled the anticipation. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Messi will be traveling with the team to Jamaica on Wednesday. However, he refrained from making a definitive statement about Messi’s playing time. This ambiguity has left fans guessing about whether the Argentinian superstar will start the match, come off the bench as a substitute, or potentially remain on the sidelines altogether.
Mascherano stated, "Leo is in the squad. He is going to travel, and tomorrow we will decide on the day of the game what is best, whether he starts, whether he waits and comes on later. We will see how it goes.” This carefully worded statement suggests that the decision regarding Messi’s involvement will be made closer to the match time, based on his physical condition and the specific circumstances of the game.
Adding to the optimism, Mascherano revealed that Messi participated fully in Wednesday’s training session with the group and reported feeling "very good." This positive update hints that Messi is recovering well and could be in contention to play some role in the match against Cavalier FC.
If Messi does step onto the field in Jamaica, it will mark his first appearance since February 25, a gap of approximately 15 days. The impact of his presence, even for a limited time, would undoubtedly be significant, both for Inter Miami and for the excitement surrounding the Concacaf Champions Cup.
For those unable to attend the match in person, the Cavalier FC vs. Inter Miami game will be broadcast on FS2 in English and on TUDN and ViX in Spanish, providing ample opportunities for fans to follow the action.
While the prospect of Messi playing is promising, a definitive answer will only be available when Inter Miami unveils its starting lineup, typically about an hour before the match commences on Thursday. Until then, speculation and anticipation will continue to swirl.
The events of Inter Miami’s previous match against Charlotte FC further complicate the situation. Messi was initially expected to make a substitute appearance in that game, but the course of the match took an unexpected turn when Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari received a red card and was ejected from the game in the first half. This forced Mascherano to make a tactical substitution, bringing on backup goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo in place of midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi.
Mascherano explained that he chose not to risk playing Messi in the match, given that the team was playing with 10 men. "The reality is that in the case of Leo maybe we had thought about giving him minutes in the game,” Mascherano said after the 1-0 win against Charlotte. “But since the game was played with one man less, and taking into consideration the time he has without playing, we thought that the best thing was to preserve it. We didn’t want to risk it.” This decision highlights the cautious approach being taken with Messi’s fitness and playing time, prioritizing his long-term well-being over a potentially risky appearance in a single match.
It’s worth noting that Messi also did not travel to Inter Miami’s 4-1 victory against the Houston Dynamo on March 2 and was absent from the first leg against Cavalier FC last Thursday. These absences underscore the team’s careful management of his workload, particularly after a demanding period earlier in the season.
Messi had a particularly busy stretch from February 19-25, playing in three matches within six days. In addition, he participated in eight matches over a 40-day period from January 18 to February 14, which included five preseason matches played in various locations, including Las Vegas, Peru, Panama, Honduras, and Tampa, Florida. The cumulative effect of these matches likely contributed to the fatigue that prompted the current period of rest.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami has a crucial rematch against Atlanta United scheduled for Sunday, a team that eliminated them from the MLS Cup playoffs last season. This match holds significant importance for Inter Miami, and the team will undoubtedly want Messi to be in optimal condition for this encounter.
Following the Atlanta United match, the FIFA international window will open for World Cup qualifiers. Messi is expected to join the Argentine national team for two high-profile matches: a visit to Uruguay on March 21 and a home game against Brazil on March 25. These international commitments further emphasize the need for careful management of Messi’s fitness to ensure he is available and in peak form for both club and country.
Inter Miami’s final match of the month will be on March 29 at home against the Philadelphia Union, adding another important fixture to the team’s schedule.
The stakes in the Concacaf Champions Cup are also high. The winner of the Inter Miami-Cavalier FC matchup will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face LAFC. LAFC would host the first leg of the quarterfinal series, while Inter Miami or Cavalier FC would host the second leg. The quarterfinal series is scheduled to begin in early April. LAFC secured their place in the quarterfinals by defeating Columbus Crew 4-2 on aggregate score, with their matchup concluding on Tuesday night.
The decision on whether Messi plays in Jamaica will be a calculated one, balancing the team’s desire to secure a victory and advance in the Concacaf Champions Cup with the need to protect Messi’s long-term health and fitness. Whatever the outcome, the anticipation surrounding his potential return has added an extra layer of excitement to this crucial match for Inter Miami.
