Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he changed the game plan after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari received a red card against Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium, preventing Lionel Messi from coming off the bench as a substitute.

Lionel Messi did not play against Charlotte because Inter Miami had to play down a man after Oscar Ustari's early red card.

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.

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.

After missing Inter Maiami's last two matches for load management, Lionel Messi could return for a match facing Charlotte FC at home on Sunday. The Herons were able to see defeat Cavalier SC in Champions Cup play and will now have another test with Wilfried Zaha coming to town.

The Inter Miami captain showed some discomfort in the second half of last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup tilt vs. Sporting Kansas City, leading to him being substituted in the 69th minute before heading straight to the locker room and never returning.

Inter Miami's sporting project continues to take shape. Along with preserving their unbeaten record in 2025, Javier Mascherano has brought in another Argentine young player to provide additional support for Lionel Messi.