Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said he chose to rest Lionel Messi against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday in an effort to prevent an injury to the Argentina star after he featured in three matches in seven days.

Lionel Messi missed Inter Miami's match against the Houston Dynamo, prompting speculation about his fitness. Coach Javier Mascherano has since addressed Messi's status. Lionel Messi did not participate in Inter Miami‘s MLS match against the Houston Dynamo on March 2,

"Leo is fine. He is OK. He will train normally like the rest of his teammates," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said about Messi's fitness, according to the report.

Inter Miami enters their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 tie against Cavalier FC in strong form, having recently won matches in both the Concacaf Champions League and MLS. Their victories over Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo showcase their attacking prowess and overall team strength.

Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba has been controversially handed a fine for a late-game incident on Sunday at the Houston Dynamo, shortly before teammate Ian Fray was handed a post-game red

Javier Mascherano has addressed concerns regarding Lionel Messi's health after the star forward was absent from Inter Miami's recent 4-1 win away at the Houston Dynamo

Messi skips Houston game, Inter Miami wins 4-1 without him, Luis Suarez defies age, Javier Mascherano fumes over controversial Ian Fray red card. Plus, news on Noah Allen.

Luis Suarez is among the star names that have been drafted in to help Messi’s Inter Miami compete at the top end of North American soccer. The Galactico policy has proved succes