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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>South American superstar sat out trip to Houston</li><li>Has figured in Champions Cup competition</li><li>Mascherano eager to manage Messi's workload</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Out for a month’ risk led to Lionel Messi being rested by Inter Miami – with MLS outfit taking no gambles on Argentine superstar’s fitness

Premier League

Cavalier SC

Dunbeholden

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Inter Miami CF

<p>The Herons have taken in just four competitive appearances in the current campaign. Their talismanic captain, who is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wasnt-my-mvp-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-reacts-lionel-messi-award-inter-miami-superstar-named-best-mls-2024/bltf4316515654b3054" target="_blank">reigning MVP of MLS</a>, has already sat out one of those fixtures. Messi played no part in a 4-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>His absence from that contest has led to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-no-show-sparks-free-ticket-giveaway-mls-rivals-inter-miami-superstar-rested-three-appearances-2025/blt5c518445be4bcad8" target="_blank">Dynamo offering free tickets to those that missed out on the Messi experience</a>, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remaining the biggest draw in American soccer. Fans across the country are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">desperate to catch a glimpse of the GOAT in action</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Inter Miami are not, however, prepared to take any gambles on his fitness. With that in mind, Mascherano has said of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/the-rondo-does-mls-have-a-lionel-messi-problem-with-inter-miami-already-resting-their-superstar-and-disappointing-fans-due-to-a-congested-schedule/blt384e9ccd0bff6221" target="_blank">taking Messi out of the firing line</a>: “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. </p><p>“That's why, 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, he ends up injured and we don't want to be out for a month.”</p>

WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

<p>Messi has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-furious-messi-grabs-opposition-coach-neck-argues-referee-inter-miami-dramatic-draw-2025-mls-season-opener/blt1bceab90335cee19" target="_blank">on target this season in CONCACAF Champions Cup competition</a>. Inter Miami will return to that stage on Thursday when facing Jamaican side Cavalier FC. Mascherano added on throwing his iconic No.10 back into that contest: “The chances [that Leo plays] are the same as the rest of the players. We'll see. 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.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>After playing host to Cavalier in the first leg of their last-16 encounter, Inter Miami will remain on home soil for a MLS clash with Charlotte FC on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether Messi is asked to play two games in the space of four days.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

‘Out for a month’ risk led to Lionel Messi being rested by Inter Miami – with MLS outfit taking no gambles on Argentine superstar’s fitness | Goal.com

Javier Mascherano admits that the risk of losing Lionel Messi “for a month” led to Inter Miami resting the Argentine superstar early in 2025.

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