Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano quashes 'nonsense' claims of fallout with Lionel Messi after shock home defeat in MLS

From the opening whistle, everything that could go wrong did. By the 11th minute, Miami were already behind after a clever strike from Dje D’Avilla silenced the home fans. Things went from bad to worse before the half-hour mark, with Chicago piling on a second. The Herons clawed their way back into the fight, thanks to a stunning Luis Suarez brace that helped drag them level at 3-3, but their defensive frailties resurfaced with a vengeance. By the final whistle, Miami had conceded five goals at home, their backline again exposed and their title hopes hanging by a thread.

But it wasn’t just the scoreline grabbing headlines. Cameras caught a tense-looking exchange between Messi and Mascherano during the match, sparking feverish speculation across social media and in Argentina that a rift had opened between the two former Barcelona teammates. Footage of the pair gesturing and talking animatedly spread like wildfire, feeding theories of a dressing-room divide. 

Mascherano insisted that what appeared to be a heated argument was nothing more than a tactical discussion in the heat of battle.

"There's no problem with Leo," he insisted. "It came out in the press that he was challenging me, which is really nonsense."

The former Liverpool and Barcelona man went on to explain that the team’s midfield spacing had broken down after Chicago dropped back, making it difficult for Miami to move the ball between the lines. 

He added: "We were talking about Chicago's low block. If you look at the game, after their first two goals, they played a very low block, and there was little space to find between the lines. It was a space problem, because they had dropped back very well, and it was very difficult to find space between the lines. It was a problem that I saw and that we tried to talk about in the locker room."

Despite the defeat and the storm of headlines, Messi’s numbers remain staggering. With 24 goals, he continues to lead the MLS scoring charts, ahead of Denis Bouanga (23) of LAFC and Sam Surridge (22) of Nashville SC. At 38, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is still the heartbeat of Miami and remains a leading contender for the 2025 MLS MVP Award.

Messi’s season isn’t slowing down. He has been called up by Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni for the upcoming international fixtures against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. However, before linking up with the national team, he’s expected to feature in Miami’s next MLS clash against New England Revolution, a must-win match if the Herons are to regain their footing in the playoff race.