Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt
LiveTickets

This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.

+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Explore Betting on GOAL
Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2025Getty
Chris Burton

Inter Miami have no ‘secret formula’ for Lionel Messi conundrum as Argentine GOAT leads bid for historic MLS Cup triumph

Javier Mascherano admits that Inter Miami have no “secret formula” for the rest and rotation conundrum that Lionel Messi poses.

  • Stacked schedule for Herons
  • Would like to rest captain
  • Unable to do so at present
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Having carefully managed the Argentine’s workload at the start of the 2025 campaign, as he nursed muscle complaints, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has figured prominently during a hectic run of MLS and FIFA Club World Cup fixtures.

    Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now
  • Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2025 FIFA Club World CupGetty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Mascherano would, in an ideal world, like to take his talismanic captain out of the firing line occasionally - helping to keep him fresh for the business end of the season. He does, however, have little choice but to keep selecting his iconic No.10 at present.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Messi played 90 minutes again as Inter Miami suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Cincinnati last time out - with his historic run of scoring braces in five successive games coming to a shuddering halt.

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

    Add as preferred source on Google
  • Lionel Messi Luis Suarez Javier Mascherano Inter Miami 2025Getty

    WHAT MASCHERANO SAID

    Inter Miami have a number of other players carrying knocks at present, meaning that they cannot bench Messi, with Mascherano telling reporters: “We have to find a way to rest and still compete and win. There’s no secret formula for that. We’ll keep going from match to match trying to go out there with the best and healthiest team possible. Next will be to obtain those three points against New York and hopefully get more of our injured players healthy.”

  • WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

    The Herons will be heading to the Big Apple on Saturday for a meeting with the Red Bulls. Inter Miami sit fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference, eight points off the summit but with three games in hand on leaders Philadelphia.