According to the Miami Herald, Messi isn’t injured but didn’t travel with the team to Houston.
HOUSTON — One of the most anticipated matchups of the MLS season has lost its spark after it was reported Lionel Messi would not be taking the field when Inter Miami faces Houston Dynamo Sunday.
The game, set to take place at Shell Energy Stadium, was the fourth most in-demand game of the season.
According to the Miami Herald, Messi isn’t injured but didn’t travel with the team to Houston. The decision came from Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, who wanted to rest him due to the team’s congested schedule.
Both Inter Miami and the Houston Dynamo are still searching for their first MLS win of the season, making this game a crucial opportunity for both sides.
In a statement posted to social media, Houston Dynamo said, in part, “Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent.”
Dynamo is offering fans who attend Sunday’s game a complimentary ticket to a future match this season.