Why Lionel Messi & 'elite players' were not rotated by Inter Miami as Argentine superstar plays 90 minutes in back-to-back fixtures

The Herons welcomed Canadian opposition to Chase Stadium in their latest MLS fixture. With the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final to come on Wednesday, the Florida-based outfit were expected to shuffle their pack.

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Mascherano did, however, go strong as Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets (who will be suspended against LAFC in midweek) all made his starting XI. Argentine superstar Messi netted Inter Miami’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Toronto and completed the full 90 minutes.

He also figured from start to finish in the first leg of a continental clash with LAFC, with his game time being ramped up after taking in rests on a regular basis at the start of the 2025 campaign. Messi and his fellow Barcelona legends are accustomed to quick turnarounds.

With that in mind, Mascherano says he had no issue with asking plenty of them during a hectic schedule. Inter Miami’s boss said: “As far as roster rotation, we spoke to the [four aforementioned] players and these are elite players who have played every three days their entire lives, they are used to it and we felt we had to make changes in other positions.

“I understand sometimes people can be surprised, but I had said in my pre-game press conference that we would not overlook this game.”

Inter Miami were disappointed to settle for a point against Toronto, but they remain unbeaten in MLS competition this season. Attention can now turn to a home date with LAFC, as the Herons continue to chase down major silverware on multiple fronts.