Lionel Messi returned to the active roster on Sunday after missing back-to-back games, but he was not in the Inter Miami starting lineup against Charlotte FC. The Argentine captain began the game on the bench on a sunny afternoon at Chase Stadium.

Will Lionel Messi play as Inter Miami takes on Charlotte FC tonight? Folllow along live for the latest updates

Tadeo Allende scored 17 seconds into the second half and Inter Miami won its third straight match without Lionel Messi, beating Charlotte FC 1-0.

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Inter Miami have enjoyed a remarkable run in 2025, remaining undefeated so far. However, Lionel Messi has missed the team's last two matches, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming clash with Charlotte FC.

Miami, who is coming off the first leg of its CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup with Cavalier, started off the season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with New York City FC. Then, on the road last Sunday, Luis Suarez and Telasco Segovia led the charge in a 4-1 thrashing of the Houston Dynamo.

Lionel Messi watched from the bench as 10-man Inter Miami held on for a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer on Sunday. It marked the third straight game that Messi failed to feature for Miami after he did not travel to Houston for last week's 4-1 win in MLS and then watched the 2-0 victory over Jamaica's Cavalier in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first-leg game on Thursday.

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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.