Wilfried Zaha insisted that he will be focused on helping Charlotte FC record another victory rather than playing against Lionel Messi.

Charlotte host Inter Miami on Sunday as they look to extend their winning streak to nine games, which would equal the Seattle Sounders' MLS record from 2018.

Dean Smith's side could also book their spot in the playoffs if they manage to beat Miami and the New York Red Bulls drop points against the Portland Timbers.  

Charlotte are third in the Eastern Conference following their impressive run and four points ahead of Miami, who have played four fewer games.

Zaha believes team performances have been the key to their recent stretch rather than individual brilliance, and he is keen to prove that against Messi and Miami.

"There's no real introduction for Messi. But like I said, the only thing is, I feel like all the talking’s done once the whistle's blown," said Zaha.

"That's all that matters. We know what we want. So I feel like I'm just fixated on what we do on the day.

"As much as I appreciate Messi, as soon as I'm playing against you, I couldn't care less about all of that stuff. I know what we want to do and we're trying to get the ninth win, so that's what I'm fixated on.

"I'm not just by myself on the pitch. Everyone does their little bit. I feel like this game coming up, that’s a totally different team to the Charlotte team they've faced before."

Miami will face Charlotte at a sold-out Bank of America Stadium without suspended talisman Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan forward was handed a three-match MLS ban for spitting on a member of staff from the Sounders after Miami's Leagues Cup final defeat. 

Former Miami head coach Tata Martino defended Suarez's behaviour, though.

"You hope situations like that never happen," Martino told The Athletic. "But I know [Suárez]. I've been around him.

"We've worked together, we've won, we've lost. I don't feel the need to defend him blindly. I know the kind of person he is. I'm not saying that what he did is justified or not; what I'm saying is I know him.

"On the field, a lot of things happen that can make someone lose their composure a bit, and they might show something that isn't really who they are.

"But it happened, and now unfortunately, he has to deal with it and suffer the consequences."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Pep Biel

Pep Biel is Charlotte's top-scorer with 10 goals this season, and has also registered 12 assists in 24 MLS games.

After missing the Crown's last five matches with a knee injury, the Spaniard is set to make a return against Miami and will be keen to make his mark.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has been directly involved in eight goals (six goals, two assists) in his last four regular-season away matches, with Miami winning all three in which he contributed to multiple goals.

Messi's teams have also won the last 27 away league matches in which he's been involved in multiple goals, dating back to 2020.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

All seven regular-season meetings between Charlotte and Miami have been drawn or decided by a one-goal margin, with Miami winning three times and Charlotte winning twice.

Miami will have to watch out for Idan Toklomati. He scored the winning goal in Charlotte's last match, a 2-1 victory at New England.

Toklomati has also been involved in at least one goal in seven of the eight matches during Charlotte's current winning streak, including in each of the last six.

Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final last time out. Their last six defeats dating back to the beginning of May have all been by margins of three or more goals, and they will be hoping to put things right here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 35.4%

Draw – 26.0%

Inter Miami – 38.5%