Lionel Messi misses Inter Miami’s training: Could he miss NU Stadium debut vs Austin FC?

Lionel Messi was a notable absentee from the small-sided scrimmage during Inter Miami’s latest training session, sparking questions ahead of the club's NU Stadium opener vs Austin FC.

Updated on April 02, 2026 05:23PM EDT

**© Getty Images**Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.

Inter Miami took to the pitch at the brand-new NU Stadium for an open training session in front of fans and media ahead of their official inauguration this Saturday. While the squad was led out by its captain, Lionel Messi did not participate in the tactical soccer drills, leading to speculation regarding his fitness for the clash against Austin FC.

However, manager Javier Mascherano quickly downplayed any injury concerns, citing workload management following the international break. “Neither Leo, Noah Allen, nor Alex Shaw—the players who saw the most minutes on Tuesday—were planned to participate in the full session. We only wanted them to do some regenerative movement… Leo is fine; we are just taking the logical precautions we take with everyone,” Mascherano explained to reporters.

Inter Miami will make their long-awaited debut at NU Stadium this Saturday, April 4, for Matchday 6 of the MLS season. The club is desperate to ensure their superstar is part of the historic ribbon-cutting, especially after his schedule with the Argentina national team during the March FIFA window.

Mascherano confirms Messi’s status vs Austin FC

For fans who have waited years for the new stadium to become a reality, a Messi absence would be a significant blow. Fortunately, Mascherano provided a reassuring update, barring any late setbacks.

First session. First feel 🙌. These are some Nu firsts in Nu Stadium pic.twitter.com/PT7UJ0PJbu
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 2, 2026

“He looked good—the reality is that, physically, they have no issues whatsoever. And barring any unforeseen complications, he will be playing on Saturday,” Mascherano confirmed.

Casemiro sad about Man Utd exit while rumors involving Messi’s Inter Miami grow

Messi’s performance during the March FIFA window

Messi returns to Florida following a productive international break with Argentina, having featured in both of the world champions’ recent fixtures. In the first match, a 2–1 victory over Mauritania, the captain saw significant action after coming on for the entire second half.

Following that narrow win, manager Lionel Scaloni opted to start Messi in the subsequent 5–0 rout of Zambia. The No. 10 put on a stellar performance, providing the assist for the opening goal and scoring the second himself. The match served as an emotional send-off for the squad on Argentine soil before they depart for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Gianni Taina

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.