Will Lionel Messi play two games in a row? Inter Miami’s plan revealed after seeing Argentine make goal-scoring return to MLS action

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped off the bench in the Herons’ 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. He found the target within two minutes of his introduction, helping Javier Mascherano’s side to pick up three more points in MLS and maintain their unbeaten start to the 2025 campaign.

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Those minutes were Messi’s first since March 16, as he was forced to withdraw from the latest Argentina squad with muscle complaints. Inter Miami remain reluctant to ask too much of their talismanic captain, leading to questions being asked of whether more rest is being lined up.

Mascherano has, however, suggested that Messi will play some part in a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final clash with LAFC on Wednesday. He told reporters: “The plan is for him to recuperate and travel to Los Angeles. Today, the time that he played, he played because he was good. We didn't risk him. He wasn't for the full 90, but it did him well to play the 45 minutes including added time and if nothing weird happens, the plan is for him to travel.”

Inter Miami’s manager went on to say, after giving Messi just over half-an-hour against Philadelphia: “We wanted Leo to have minutes. The idea was to have him play for 30-35 minutes, with the added time he played more but he feels good. We didn't want to risk him by starting him because we thought we'd run a risk in doing that. Luckily he finished well, and that makes us very happy.”

Messi helped Inter Miami to a historic Supporters’ Shield triumph last season, and himself to MVP honours, and the plan is to chase down MLS Cup glory this term – with his value to that cause meaning that no gambles will be taken when it comes to long-term fitness.