Then came two assists as 10-man Inter Miami came back to draw NYCFC in their MLS opener.The latest was an absolute stunner, as Messi plucked a Luis Suarez pass out of the air, then scorched the inside of the near post with an across-body rocket.

Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Group of 16 home match against Jamaican club Cavalier FC on Thursday night. The 37-year-old star forward missed his second consecutive game after sitting out an MLS match at Houston on Sunday.

Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he changed the game plan after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari received a red card against Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium, preventing Lionel Messi from coming off the bench as a substitute.