Javier Mascherano Explains Why Inter Miami Rested Lionel Messi in Early 2025

Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Mascherano has revealed that the decision to rest Lionel Messi early in the 2025 season was made to prevent the risk of losing him for an extended period due to injury. The Argentine superstar, who remains the biggest attraction in Major League Soccer, was left out of the squad for a recent 4-1 victory over Houston Dynamo.

Managing Messi’s Workload

Messi, the reigning MLS MVP, has already played a key role for Inter Miami this season, including in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. However, with the club looking to carefully manage his fitness, Mascherano admitted that the team had to be cautious to avoid any potential long-term setbacks.

“Leo hasn’t had any injuries. Obviously, with the matches, he has felt the fatigue, he has had an overload, but that’s why we decided he not go to Houston,” Mascherano explained. “We have already had some injuries and we don’t want to fall back on a player so important to us. Because what if we don’t give him a certain rest and he ends up injured? We don’t want to be without him for a month.”

The Impact of Messi’s Absence

Messi’s absence from the Houston match was felt not only by Inter Miami but also by fans who had been eager to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in action. The Dynamo even went as far as offering free tickets to supporters who had missed out on watching the Argentine legend play. His presence remains a massive draw for American soccer, with fans across the country eager to witness his magic on the pitch.

Messi’s Return and Upcoming Fixtures

Despite sitting out against Houston, Messi has continued to make an impact for Inter Miami, particularly in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where he has already found the back of the net this season. The Herons are set to face Jamaican side Cavalier FC in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Thursday, and Mascherano remains non-committal about Messi’s participation.

“The chances [that Leo plays] are the same as the rest of the players. We’ll see what decision we make. As of today, I haven’t confirmed 100% of the team. Leo is training. We’ll see, he’s in good health, but we’ll see what’s good for us,” he added.

Following their Champions Cup fixture, Inter Miami will stay on home soil for a league match against Charlotte FC on Sunday. With two games in the span of four days, the club will need to carefully balance Messi’s workload to ensure he remains fit for the challenges ahead.