Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing in Orlando City vs.Inter Miami MLS match?

Orlando leads the all-time series with seven wins to Miami’s five, but the rivalry remains tight with just a one-goal difference between both teams.

Inter Miami will step onto the field this Sunday without their captain, Lionel Messi, as Las Garzas take on Orlando City in a new round of Major League Soccer. This matchup carries extra weight as it is the Sunshine Clásico, one of the most anticipated rivalry games in the Eastern Conference. For Inter Miami, this is not just about bragging rights — it’s also a crucial fixture in the push for playoff positioning.

Messi’s absence was confirmed after he picked up discomfort early in Inter Miami’s recent Leagues Cup match against Necaxa. The Argentine star had to be substituted, sparking immediate concern among fans and teammates.

The club quickly released an update on his condition: “Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the severity of the muscle discomfort he experienced last night during the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa, which forced him to leave the field. The results confirmed a mild muscle injury in his right leg. His return will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment,” the official statement read.

This minor injury will sideline Messi for at least the next two matches in MLS — Sunday’s clash against Orlando City and a follow-up encounter against LA Galaxy. While his absence is a blow to Inter Miami’s attacking power, head coach Javier Mascherano will need to rely on other key players to step up in his captain’s place.

The stakes in the sunshine Clásico

Inter Miami and Orlando City have faced each other 16 times in official competition, with Orlando holding a slight edge: seven wins to Miami’s five, along with four draws. The goal tally is razor-thin — 26 for Inter Miami and 25 for Orlando — highlighting just how evenly matched this rivalry has been over the years.

Messi is currently the all-time top scorer in the Sunshine Clásico with four goals, followed closely by Gonzalo Higuaín (Inter Miami) and Nani (Orlando City) with three each. Without Messi, the scoring spotlight shifts to Rodrigo De Paul, who has one goal and two assists in just three appearances for Miami, and to Orlando’s Martín Ojeda, who has been in excellent form during the early stages of the Leagues Cup.