Why Luis Suarez is playing while Lionel Messi is rested – Inter Miami selection calls explained as ex-Barcelona superstars are treated differently in MLS

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has sat out three successive fixtures for the Herons. He was on the bench for their most recent MLS fixture, against Charlotte FC, but remained an unused substitute. The Argentine also played no part in a win over the Houston Dynamo or first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Cavalier.

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Javier Mascherano has explained that Messi is being held back in a bid to prevent burnout and potential injuries. Veteran striker Suarez is, however, seeing plenty of action at 38 years of age and with questions having been asked for some time of how much longer his knees will hold up.

While Inter Miami’s selection calls have left some puzzled, former Premier League star and current MLS pundit Danny Higginbotham says they are understandable. The Manchester United academy graduate has told Apple TV: “It's two completely different players. I go back to my football career and I played with players, going to 36, 37 they could rest for a few weeks and come back fresh.

“I was a player, though, who had to play week in, week out. Because if I missed one game it took me three games to get back going again. And I look at Suarez like that. I think Suarez is the type of player, you just keep playing him. Because if you rest him, if you stop him, it's going to take him a long time to get back into the rhythm of things.”

Suarez has figured in all six of Inter Miami’s competitive fixtures in 2025, scoring three goals. He is considered to be into the final season of his glittering career, but the prolific Uruguayan frontman is hoping to savour MLS Cup glory alongside Messi before giving any thought to retirement.