Since Lionel Messi’s sensational move to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, the football world has watched with anticipation and curiosity.

Messi, now 37 years old, continues to defy expectations as one of the sport’s most influential and skilled players.

Yet, as time inevitably moves forward, questions about his physical condition and the club’s management of his playing time have become more prominent than ever.

In the opening months of the 2025 season, these questions have intensified, fueled by a series of mysterious absences and a notable lack of transparency from Inter Miami’s management.

The excitement surrounding Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer was unparalleled.

Fans from across the globe flocked to stadiums, eager to witness the legendary number 10 showcase his talents on American soil.

Inter Miami, aware of the immense value Messi brings not just in performance but in global attention, has been especially cautious in handling his schedule.

The club’s strategy is clear: maximize Messi’s availability for as many fans as possible while minimizing the risk of injury that comes with age and the relentless demands of professional football.

However, this careful management has led to growing frustration and speculation among supporters.

At the start of the 2025 season, Messi’s absence from several key matches caught many off guard.

The club’s communication regarding his status was notably vague, with statements that did little to clarify whether Messi was injured, being rested, or dealing with other issues.

This silence only deepened the mystery and anxiety among fans, who feared that their hero might be facing more serious health concerns than the club was willing to admit.

Messi’s first three appearances of the new campaign were promising.

He found the back of the net twice and provided two assists, reminding everyone that his magic was far from faded.

But then, unexpectedly, Messi was relegated to the bench.

In a match where Inter Miami was defending a narrow one-goal lead with a player sent off, the coaching staff opted not to use Messi, even as an impact substitute.

The official explanation was that the team was protecting its advantage and didn’t want to risk further exposure.

Yet, what truly puzzled observers was that Messi did not even warm up on the sidelines—a rare sight for a player of his stature, especially when he is named among the substitutes.

This episode only added to the uncertainty surrounding Messi’s condition.

Was he nursing a minor injury? Was the club being overly cautious, or was there something more serious at play? Inter Miami’s reluctance to provide specific details fueled endless speculation, with fans and analysts alike dissecting every available clue.

The club insisted that Messi was not injured, but the lack of transparency did little to reassure the public.

On March 11th, a glimmer of hope emerged when Messi was spotted training with the team.

This sighting suggested that he was at least physically capable of participating in team activities, if not yet ready for competitive action.

Still, questions lingered about his true fitness level and whether he would be risked in the upcoming fixtures.

Inter Miami’s next match was to be held in Jamaica—a game that, under normal circumstances, would have been a prime opportunity for Messi to shine.

However, the club faced a dilemma: the field conditions in Jamaica were reportedly poor, increasing the risk of injury for all players, but especially for a superstar in the latter stages of his career.

Given that Inter Miami already held a comfortable 2-0 aggregate lead in the series, the decision was made to prioritize Messi’s long-term health over short-term gains.

The club’s management reasoned that there was little to be gained by risking their most valuable asset on a potentially hazardous pitch, especially when the outcome of the tie was all but assured.

This approach, while prudent from a medical and sporting perspective, did little to quell the impatience of fans eager to see Messi in action.

The real test of Messi’s fitness, according to those close to the club, would come on March 16th, when Inter Miami was scheduled to face Atlant.

This match was seen as the true barometer of Messi’s readiness to return to competitive action.

If he was indeed fully fit, there would be little reason to hold him back any longer.

Conversely, any further absence would only intensify the speculation and concern surrounding his condition.

As of the time of writing, Messi has missed three games for Inter Miami in the 2025 season.

Each absence has been met with a mixture of worry and understanding from the fanbase.

On one hand, there is a recognition that Messi’s age and the cumulative toll of a long career necessitate a more cautious approach.

On the other, there is an undeniable sense of disappointment each time he is not on the pitch, especially given the premium that fans pay for tickets and the global attention that his presence commands.

The situation has also sparked broader conversations about the challenges of managing aging superstars in modern football.

Messi is not the first legendary player to face the realities of declining physical resilience, and he certainly won’t be the last.

Clubs must strike a delicate balance between honoring the player’s desire to compete, satisfying the demands of supporters, and safeguarding the long-term health of their most valuable assets.

For Inter Miami, the stakes are particularly high.

Messi’s arrival was not just a sporting coup; it was a transformational moment for the club and for Major League Soccer as a whole.

The surge in ticket sales, merchandise, and international media coverage has elevated the profile of both the team and the league to unprecedented heights.

Every appearance by Messi is a major event, drawing crowds and cameras from around the world.

The pressure to keep him on the field is immense, but so too is the responsibility to ensure that his career is not cut short by preventable injuries.

The club’s cautious approach has been both praised and criticized.

Some argue that Inter Miami is right to prioritize Messi’s health, especially given the physical demands of the MLS schedule and the added strain of international competitions.

Others contend that the lack of transparency is unfair to fans, who deserve clear and honest communication about the status of their heroes.

In the age of social media and instant information, managing public expectations has become as important as managing player fitness.

For Messi himself, the situation is undoubtedly frustrating.

Throughout his career, he has been known for his fierce competitiveness and his desire to play every minute of every match.

Sitting on the sidelines, whether due to injury or precaution, is never easy for a player of his caliber.

Yet, as he enters the twilight of his remarkable journey, Messi must also confront the realities of aging and the need to adapt his approach to the game.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how Inter Miami and Messi navigate these challenges.

The match against Atlant is seen as a pivotal moment, not just for the team’s fortunes, but for the narrative surrounding Messi’s future in MLS.

A successful return to action would go a long way toward easing concerns and restoring confidence among supporters.

Conversely, any further setbacks would only deepen the sense of uncertainty that has hovered over the club since the start of the season.

In the meantime, the silence from Inter Miami’s management continues to fuel speculation.

Every training session, every appearance on the bench, every absence from the matchday squad is scrutinized for clues about Messi’s condition.

The club’s media strategy appears to be one of cautious optimism—acknowledging Messi’s importance while refusing to be drawn into detailed discussions about his fitness or availability.

For fans, the experience is a rollercoaster of emotions.

The joy of seeing Messi in action is matched only by the anxiety of his unexplained absences.

Each new development is dissected and debated across social media platforms, with theories ranging from minor knocks to more serious, long-term issues.

The truth, as is often the case in professional sports, is likely somewhere in between—a combination of age-related caution, minor physical setbacks, and the club’s desire to manage expectations.

What is clear is that Messi’s presence in MLS remains a source of immense excitement and pride for Inter Miami and for American soccer as a whole.

The opportunity to watch one of the greatest players of all time compete on U.S. soil is a privilege that fans do not take for granted.

As the season unfolds, the hope is that Messi will be able to contribute at the highest level while also enjoying the final chapters of his extraordinary career.

In the end, the saga of Messi’s injury mysteries and Inter Miami’s silence is a reminder of the complexities that come with greatness.

Managing a living legend is no easy task, and every decision is scrutinized through the lens of expectation, hope, and fear.

For now, all eyes remain on Messi and Inter Miami, waiting for the next chapter in a story that continues to captivate the footballing world.