Mascherano optimistic Lionel Messi can play for Miami vs Charlotte
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 at this stage of the season.
“Leo is much better. We are optimistic that if everything goes well, there is a chance that he will be on the roster. We will see, but we still need to train. Obviously, I never guarantee anything when there is still training to be done,” Mascherano said on Saturday.
Messi missed out on two consecutive Inter Miami matches, watching from the sidelines as the team triumphed 4-1 over the Houston Dynamo on March 2 and 2-0 over Cavalier FC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 tie on March 6.
Mascherano chose to rest the Argentina captain after he experienced fatigue from playing three matches over the course of seven days as a precaution against potential injury.
But Messi has since participated in a “great part” of the training ahead of Sunday’s game. Media observed the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s session, where Messi warmed up and played alongside his teammates.
“I’m the first one that wants Leo to play, because I know that if Leo plays we’re stronger. I’m not going to be shooting myself in the foot, it’s crazy,” Mascherano said. “Now, there are situations that need to be addressed day by day, and I have to be sure that the player feels, not only in Leo’s case, but any player feels 100%, otherwise I will not take unnecessary risk.”
Inter Miami is undefeated in the 2025 campaign, boasting a record of four victories and one draw across all tournaments. The team managed two victories without Messi, something Mascherano was keen to celebrate.
“It’s clear that for all the players, for the staff, for the club, it’s important to understand that when Leo is not there, we all have to take a step forward because we have a very big loss,” he said.
“And that’s how it is, we all have to take a step forward. Now, clearly, you give me a choice. I want to have him in all the matches because obviously we are much stronger with him.”
Inter Miami will host Charlotte at Chase Stadium before traveling to Jamaica to finish the two-legged round-of-16 series against Cavalier on Thursday, March 13.
ESPN FC Live’s Janusz Michallik is sure that Arsenal’s title hopes are “done” following their 1-1 draw vs. Manchester United. (2:02)
MANCHESTER, England — Declan Rice scored a crucial equalizer and then produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Rasmus Højlund a late winner to keep Arsenal’s faint Premier League title hopes alive in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The second-placed Gunners now sit 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand and a trip to Anfield still to come on May 10, so their title dream is hanging by a thread. But Rice’s 74th-minute goal, which canceled out Bruno Fernandes’ first-half strike from a free kick, and his last-ditch challenge on Højlund on 84 minutes allowed Arsenal to avoid a defeat that surely would have ended their title hopes.
United also came close to winning in stoppage time, when a Fernandes shot from close range was clawed out by goalkeeper David Raya.
The point does little to improve United’s miserable season, however, with Ruben Amorim’s team in 14th spot, eight points adrift of Fulham in 10th. — Mark Ogden
They won’t concede it until mathematically impossible, but Arsenal’s title race is surely run. The Gunners still have a game in hand, but a 15-point gap to Liverpool following their 10th draw of the season is surely too much to claw back, even with a quarter of the season to play. In any case, Arsenal will have to go on the sort of sustained winning run they don’t look capable of right now given injuries to key attacking players and an unusually unstable defense.
Raya occupied the curious position of contributing to the concession of United’s goal with poor positioning before making a string of stunning saves to ensure Arsenal weren’t beaten. Rice did his best in both boxes, equalizing with a fine strike before a brilliant tackle to deny the ponderous Højlund as he lined up a close-range shot, but the Gunners look almost certain to come up short once again.
Liverpool need five wins and a draw from their remaining nine games to guarantee the title. Arsenal need a miracle. — James Olley
Maybe, just maybe, Amorim was able to see some light at the end of a long, dark tunnel in Manchester United’s performance against Arsenal.
United took the lead and actually led a Premier League game at half-time for the first time since Dec. 1, thanks to Fernandes’ free kick. They also showed signs of being an organized unit with a plan and made themselves hard to beat in a game when the Gunners enjoyed 68% of the possession.
Youngster Ayden Heaven, signed from Arsenal in January, looked composed and confident in the second half after replacing Leny Yoro, while Alejandro Garnacho shone after his recent difficulties. Even the much-maligned Casemiro and Christian Eriksen played their part, while Fernandes once again showed himself to be United’s talisman.
United failed to win at home once again following Rice’s late equalizer, but having been booed off in recent home games, Amorim’s players delivered on Sunday and gave their fans and coach the hope that they may have finally turned a corner. — Ogden
Sources told ESPN that Arsenal’s issues at left back were identified as a key reason internally as to why they didn’t stay the course in last season’s Premier League title race. With Jurriën Timber sidelined for almost the entire campaign, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu were all deputized with mixed results, prompting a summer move for Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The £42 million acquisition has lost his place of late to 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, and perhaps Sunday showed why.
United didn’t offer much sustained attacking threat, but what they had mostly came through Garnacho, and Calafiori struggled to cope with the 20-year-old Argentina international. Calafiori gave the ball away for the free kick that led to Fernandes’ goal and was substituted on 58 minutes.
Lewis-Skelly is a fine talent and could become the solution, but only this week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested the teenager still has a lot to learn, having been substituted in the first half of Tuesday’s 7-1 win at PSV Eindhoven to protect him from being sent off. There are high hopes for Lewis-Skelly — one bright run that earned a dangerous free kick was a further sign of his attacking quality — but this was a day when left back looked like a possible weakness rather than a strength for Arsenal, a feeling they hoped to have consigned to history. — Olley
Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee are both honest triers for Manchester United, but their lack of quality up front is a big factor in the team’s struggles this season, and it is not just down to their lack of goals.
Zirkzee and Højlund have scored just five goals between them in the Premier League this season, and neither has found the net in a league game since the beginning of December. Those stats alone highlight how far out of their depth they are in a United shirt.
But they aren’t delivering in other areas of the pitch, either, notably when it comes to holding the ball up in the opposition half in order to help build attacks or alleviate pressure on overworked midfielders and defenders.
Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).
Zirkzee started this game and was often targeted by goalkeeper André Onana with long balls forward, but the 22-year-old, despite standing at 6-foot-4, repeatedly failed to win the ball against defenders Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. Zirkzee’s lack of presence and aggression made it easy for Arsenal to win the ball and put United immediately back under pressure.
It was rinse and repeat, over and over, but something that happens in most games. The end result? United have to do more defending, concede more chances and, as a consequence, let in more goals.
Højlund, 22, replaced Zirkzee as a second-half substitute, but the £70m signing from Atalanta was similarly incapable of protecting the ball. Højlund shows more aggression than Zirkzee, but his touch is worse and therefore means he loses possession more than he keeps it.
So while United need an upgrade in terms of goals up front, they also need a striker who can do the job of a centre-forward by giving his team a platform in the attacking third. Neither Zirkzee or Højlund can do that. — Ogden
If only Arsenal had a winger to bring on in the midst of their injury crisis to get them the goal they desperately needed to keep the title race alive. Except they did.
Raheem Sterling was once again an unused substitute for the Gunners, with Kieran Tierney again preferred off the bench as an alternative. Tierney, remember, is a left back who is out of contract in the summer and certain to leave.
Sterling was signed on deadline day from Chelsea in a loan deal that contains no option or obligation to make the move permanent, but instead of being a valuable option to add strength in depth, he has faded into the background in an alarming regression that places considerable doubt over the 30-year-old’s long-term future when he returns to Chelsea at the end of the season. He has made just 12 Premier League appearances this season, eight of which have come as a substitute. His return is no goals and one assist.
Janusz Michallik believes that Bruno Fernandes showed his leadership in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw vs. Arsenal.
With Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka all absent through injury, Sterling would have been expected to step up as a senior player with great experience for club and country. With Gabriel Martinelli now back from injury, though — playing the last 32 minutes here — Sterling seems highly likely to play out the rest of the campaign as a bit-part player. — Olley
Nobody at Manchester United can claim to have had a great season this year considering the team’s woeful results and performances, but Matthijs de Ligt continued his recent good form against Arsenal.
The Netherlands defender wasn’t on United’s wanted list during the summer, but former manager Erik ten Hag pushed for his signing from Bayern Munich, and the club hierarchy sealed a £40m move for the center half to show faith in Teg Hag after handing him a new contract.
It didn’t work out for Ten Hag, who was fired in October, and De Ligt struggled to adjust to the pace of the Premier League in his early months. But the former Ajax and Juventus player has shown real character to come through his tough patch, and he now looks a first choice under Amorim.
De Ligt lacks pace and is not particularly comfortable on the ball, so he doesn’t tick the boxes that his new manager wants in his defenders. Right now, though, De Ligt’s tenacity, durability and leadership skills are making an impact, especially with Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Jonny Evans all out due to injury.
De Ligt leads by example, and he did that again against Arsenal. — Ogden
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Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC live updates: Miami wins 1-0 with 10 men on field
After a huge 4-1 win over Houston a week ago, Inter Miami was looking to maintain its momentum as it prepared to take on another 1-0-1 team in MLS, Charlotte FC.
While a quick look at the standings and goal differentials might have you think Miami was the runaway favorite with or without Lionel Messi, Charlotte was not a team to be trifled with. As a member of Inter Miami, Messi had yet to beat Charlotte in MLS play, going 0-1-1 in two contests. Albeit, they did defeat Charlotte 4-0 in a Leagues Cup matchup in 2023.
Still, Messi’s recent absence during Miami’s 4-1 win over Houston had some fans wondering whether or not he would return to play Sunday. The win against Houston was the first time Messi had missed action in 2025, having played in both of Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup games as well as Miami’s regular-season opener against New York City FC. He did, however, miss Thursday’s fixture against Cavalier SC, with coach Javier Mascherano citing fatigue for the absence. There was hope that he will suit up against Charlotte.
In the end, Messi did not suit up for Inter Miami, but he wasn’t needed. While Miami got into foul trouble early, which has become all too common with this squad to start the season, all they needed was one opening. A few stellar passes between Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende gave Miami a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the second half, and that was enough to give Miami the victory.
Charlotte had numerous opportunities to tie this contest up, but a few errors from Zaha and Byrne cost Charlotte dearly. Charlotte had eight shots all in all, twice as many as Miami, but none hit the net. Miami wins this one, 1-0. Their next game is Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Cavalier on Thursday, March 13, followed by an MLS matchup against Atlanta United on Sunday, March 16. Charlotte, meanwhile, will start preparing for a game against Cincinnati on Saturday, March 15.
Even with 10 men on the field, Miami was able to take down Charlotte, handing them their first defeat of the season. Miami has now earned a red card in each of their first three matches, yet despite the foul trouble, they are an undefeated 2-1-0.
Messi never saw the field, but Inter Miami clearly did not need him. While the game got dicey at points, with Charlotte swarming around the Miami goal for much of the second half, Miami’s defense held strong. 1-0 the final.
There have been three foul cards this game, and all of them have come to Miami. This time, while trying to prevent a Charlotte attack, Miami’s Yannick Bright got a little too physical attempting a tackle, earning himself a yellow. Bright tried to play it off, claiming he was the one who got hurt in that encounter, but the linesman was not having it.
Charlotte has been dominant in the second half ever since surrendering the only goal of the game. As it stands though, they’ve nothing to show for it. It’s still 1-0 as we approach the end of stoppage time.
Whenever Charlotte has had a chance to knot this game up, Zaha has been at the center of it. This time, he was mere feet from the goal, and although there were several Miami defenders in the vicinity, Zaha just could not find his footing, ultimately knocking the ball off a Miami defender for a corner. That was a poor result though given that the left side of the net was wide open after Miami GK Rios Novo had already been knocked to the ground after going for the ball moments earlier.
The corner did not amount to much better, and Zaha’s poor footing may have cost Charlotte a shot at a win or draw. It’s still 1-0 Miami.
Miami may be out in front, but their lead certainly isn’t safe. In an effort to double their lead, Ruiz made a move down the left wing, but was fouled hard by Nathan Byrne. Byrne did not earn a card, but Ruiz was on the ground for about a minute before the game resumed. Ultimately, Miami’s attack was halted after the ensuing free kick.
Most of Charlotte’s looks on net have come via crosses on the left wing. In the 65th minute, Charlotte got their best look though when a cross was able to find Zaha for a header. Unfortunately, the ball went just wide to the right of the goal. Miami maintains their 1-0 lead.
Inter Miami came out quickly to start the second half. Despite playing with just 10 players, Miami was able to get on the board just two minutes into the second half, and it was none other than Tadeo Allende getting it done. A series of stellar passes between Luis Suarez and Allende weaved through the Charlotte defense and gave Allende a great look at the net. He put it right under goalkeeper’s hip and into the right side of the net. Miami leads 1-0.
It’s been a tale of two halves in the first half. Miami dominated the first 20 minutes, with chance after chance and a few good looks on net. However, the final 30 minutes were Charlotte’s moments. The red card to Miami GK Ustari was obviously huge, but the game was spent largely in Miami territory thanks to having an extra player. Still, despite the eventful half, there have been no goals.
Miami GK Ustari needed to make a play after a lead lob pass got through the Miami defense. However, in an effort to stop the rush, Ustari made contact with Zaha’s leg just outside the box, tripping the former Crystal Palace forward.
Just 40 minutes into the game, Miami will now be forced to play the rest of the game with just 10 players. Rios Novo has entered the game at goalkeeper. Miami is now three deep at the position.
Charlotte’s ensuing free kick ended up just high of the net.
Miami’s Aviles had been warned earlier, but after getting a little too physical against Charlotte’s Zaha while trying to prevent Zaha from getting around him, Aviles has been given the first card of the contest. It remains 0-0.
After a slow start, Charlotte FC has started gaining some traction, often finding themselves deep in Miami territory. Although they’ve had limited attempts at the goal, they’ve had a few key corner opportunities that have ultimately been cleared away by Inter. Still, at this rate, it’s only a matter of time before Charlotte gets a good cross and has their first great look at the goal.
Through 14 minutes, Miami has dominated this contest. They’ve maintained possession for most of the game and much of the showdown has been played in Charlotte territory. Miami has had ample scoring opportunities as well, most recently a shot at the top of the box from Cremaschi, straight into the chest of Charlotte GK Kahlina. Despite the lopsided play so far, it remains 0-0.
Inter Miami CF takes on Charlotte FC from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 4 p.m. ET.
The Inter Miami CF match from Chase Stadium is available to viewers using MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Messi may not be starting today’s matchup against Charlotte, but he’s at least ready to play. Miami posted their starting 11, and the 2022 World Cup champion is not among the starters, but rather will come into the contest as a sub.
This isn’t new for Messi though. With Miami, the star forward came off the bench as recently as Sept. 18, 2024, during a game against Atlanta United. As is the case tonight, Messi was also recovering from an injury ahead of that contest.
Inter Miami are favorites to beat Charlotte FC (as of Saturday), according to BetMGM.
Ben Steiner writes, “The star power is undeniable whenever Miami are on the pitch, but Zaha proved he can lift Charlotte to new heights with his efforts last weekend. Meanwhile, 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina also found his form again with a clean sheet.”
Staff writes, “Inter Miami’s dominant home record and attacking firepower make them favorites, but Charlotte FC’s resilience and recent unbeaten run suggest they won’t be easy to break down. Javier Mascherano’s men will look to impose themselves early, while Charlotte may opt for a compact, counter-attacking approach. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Mascherano and his charges.”
With Messi coming off the bench in Sunday’s contest, Charlotte FC may have an advantage to start the game. Here are their starters for tonight’s matchup.
Mascherano did not declare whether Messi would play against Charlotte, making the Inter Miami star’s status unknown as of Sunday morning.
Coach Javier Mascherano provided some promising news Saturday that Messi had made progress in his recovery from muscle fatigue, which had kept him out of Miami’s last two games. However, he also noted that the club would not take any risks when it comes to their superstar player.
But as the match approaches, it appears more and more likely that Messi will play. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen walking into Chase Stadium with Miami’s gameday squad.
While it is still possible that Messi is only suiting up while not preparing for much playtime, this is a very positive development for fans hoping to see him take the field for an MLS contest.
Safid Deen contributed to this story.
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FINAL: Miami 1, Charlotte 0
Another yellow card for Miami
Charlotte misses another great opportunity
Miami’s Ruiz’s fouled
Charlotte’s best look goes wide
Tadeo Allende gets Miami on the board
Halftime: 0-0
Ustari gets massive red card; Miami in trouble
Aviles gets first yellow of the game
Charlotte starting to string chances together
Miami dominating scoring opportunities
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Messi starting on the bench for Inter Miami
Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC odds
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Charlotte starters
Will Lionel Messi play Sunday vs. Charlotte FC?
Sports Illustrated: Inter Miami CF 2-3 Charlotte FC
The Hard Tackle: Inter Miami 2-1 Charlotte FC
Inter Miami CF Predicted Lineup vs Charlotte FC: MLS
Inter Miami CF look to keep their undefeated MLS season going when they take on Charlotte FC on Sunday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
After pushing past Jamaica’s Cavalier FC midweek in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 tie, the Herons return to MLS action, where they’ve not lost in the first two weeks.
In Week 1, they posted a dramatic 2–2 tie with NYCFC after playing with 10-men for over an hour, and Matchday 2 saw them secure a 4–1 win against the Houston Dynamo.
Lionel Messi is expected to be in the squad on Sunday after missing last week’s match in Houston and the Champions Cup match in Jamaica. He and Miami’s star power will battle a strong Charlotte side led by former Premier League star Wilfried Zaha and USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang.
The Herons have been strong on their home pitch recently, not dropping points in consecutive MLS matches at Chase Stadium since Matchday 17 and 18 of 2024.
Here’s what Inter Miami’s lineup could look like on Sunday.
GK: Oscar Ustari—With Drake Callender remaining injured, Ustari remains the top-choice for Miami.
RB: Ian Fray––Fray received a red card after the final whistle against Houston last week, but it was rescinded by the MLS Disciplinary Committee, making him eligible for Sunday.
CB: Tomas Aviles––After picking up a red card in the opener, the 21-year-old has returned to strong form.
CB: Noah Allen––A bright, young American center back, Allen played just 15 minutes midweek against Cavalier
LB: Jordi Alba––Jordi Alba had nine touches in the opposition box against Cavalier.
RM: Federico Redondo––At just 22-years-old, Redondo has already proven himself as an elite midfielder in MLS.
CM: Sergio Busquets––Even at 36, Busquets has been a consistent midfield presence for Inter Miami under Mascherano and previously, Gerardo “Tata” Martino.
LM: Telasco Segovia––Still early in his MLS career, the 21-year-old Venezuelan has been tremendous for the Herons. He has three goals and an assist in 104 MLS minutes.
RW: Lionel Messi––Messi has taken part in most training sessions, but could be a game-time decision for the Herons. On Saturday, he warmed up with the team in training but did not participate in the full session. If he’s not good to go, expect Benjamin Cremaschi to take the role.
ST: Luis Suárez––Despite consistent injury concerns, Suárez has been in-form to start the season and had four goal contributions, with a goal and three assists against Houston.
LW: Tadeo Allende––Allende scored a blistering strike against Houston and also found the back of the net against Cavalier. He’s been tremendous so far this season.
Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.
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