
Lionel Messi's availability for Inter Miami's clash with Cavalier in the Concacaf Champions Cup remains up in the air, but not because of injury or suspension.
After scoring in both legs against Sporting Kansas City and starting the Major League Soccer opener against New York City FC, Messi was a surprise exclusion from Miami's trip to Houston last weekend. Javier Mascherano confirmed before the Houston trip that Messi wasn't injured and was training with the rest of the team. He was left out for load management as the coach balances the 37-year-old's minutes early in the season.