

Javier Mascherano admits that the risk of losing Lionel Messi “for a month” led to Inter Miami resting the Argentine superstar early in 2025.
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.
Inter 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, 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, if we don't give him a certain rest, he ends up injured.”