Javier Mascherano admits that the risk of losing Lionel Messi “for a month” led to Inter Miami resting the Argentine superstar early in 2025.
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South American superstar sat out trip to HoustonHas figured in Champions Cup competitionMascherano eager to manage Messi's workloadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Herons have taken in just four competitive appearances in the current campaign. Their talismanic captain, who is the reigning MVP of MLS, has already sat out one of those fixtures. Messi played no part in a 4-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
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His absence from that contest has led to the Dynamo offering free tickets to those that missed out on the Messi experience, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remaining the biggest draw in American soccer. Fans across the country are desperate to catch a glimpse of the GOAT in action.
WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID
Inter Miami are not, however, prepared to take any gambles on his fitness. With that in mind, Mascherano has said of taking Messi out of the firing line: “Leo hasn't had any injuries. Obviously, with the matches, he has felt the fatigue, he has had an overload, but that's why we decided he not go to Houston.
“That's why, we have already had some injuries and we don't want to fall back on a player so important to us, because what if we don't give him a certain rest, he ends up injured and we don't want to be out for a month.”
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Messi has been on target this season in CONCACAF Champions Cup competition. Inter Miami will return to that stage on Thursday when facing Jamaican side Cavalier FC. Mascherano added on throwing his iconic No.10 back into that contest: “The chances [that Leo plays] are the same as the rest of the players. We'll see. We'll see what decision we make. As of today, I haven't confirmed 100% of the team. Leo is training. We'll see, he's in good health, but we'll see what's good for us.”