‘Better chance with Lionel Messi coming off’ - Shock Inter Miami advice explained by former USMNT star as MLS outfit look to ‘win every competition’

The Herons have been wary of asking too much of their Ballon d’Or-winning captain this season. Argentine icon Messi missed 15 regular season matches in MLS last season but was still able to claim MVP honours.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!

Stream games now

He has already sat out domestic and CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures in 2025, with a chronic leg muscle injury being carefully managed. Messi has, however, played the full 90 minutes in back-to-back matches with LAFC and Toronto FC.

Ex-United States international McCarty believes that Javier Mascherano needs to continue rotating his squad in order to compete on multiple fronts - which means that more brave calls need to be made when it comes to Messi’s game time.

McCarty, who earned 13 caps for the USMNT and represented the likes of the New York Red Bulls and Nashville SC in his playing days, has told MLS Wrap-Up: “I just still think if Inter Miami wants to win every competition they're in, you give yourself a better chance to beat LAFC with Lionel Messi coming off after 60 minutes (against Toronto) and getting fresh legs on the field.

“Listen, it's a tough balance to follow, but against a Toronto FC team I think you should beat comfortably, I thought Messi should have come off.”

Inter Miami were held to a 1-1 draw by Toronto at Chase Stadium, with Messi netting their goal on the stroke of half-time. The Herons will be back in action on Wednesday when facing LAFC in the second leg of a Champions Cup quarter-final tie that they trail 1-0 on aggregate.