Silver lining: ASG ban gave Messi 'mandatory rest'

Inter Miami CF manager Javier Mascherano hopes Lionel Messi enters the 2025 Leagues Cup tourney with much information aft serving a one-game suspension for missing the MLS All-Star game, adding the remainder whitethorn person served the subordinate good fixed the upcoming "marathon" of matches.

Miami kicks disconnected its Leagues Cup run against Liga MX squad Atlas astatine Chase Stadium successful Fort Lauderdale, Florida connected Wednesday night.

"Regarding Leo, yes, let's anticipation he's ace motivated. The world is, well, evidently I said it aft the Cincinnati game, we didn't expect the suspension. But, well, it's bully for us," said Mascherano.

"And the world is we had to springiness him a mandatory rest, aft galore consecutive games. I deliberation successful immoderate ways the remainder was besides bully for him to commencement this caller marathon of games we're going to person up of the Leagues Cup and continuing with the MLS. So he's a small fresher."

The manager confirmed that some Jordi Alba and Messi should beryllium disposable for the crippled connected Wednesday, earlier making a gag astir the suspension.

"If they don't suspend them, Jordi and Messi volition beryllium available."

New signing Rodrigo De Paul, who helped Argentina triumph the World Cup alongside Messi, inactive has not trained with the remainder of the squad arsenic helium awaits his visa, but Mascherano said arsenic soon arsenic the paperwork comes done helium volition beryllium called up to the roster.

"We're waiting for them to arrive, let's say, for the paperwork to get truthful helium tin beryllium called up. If he's cleared, he'll beryllium called up," Mascherano said. "That's clear. Well, he's a subordinate who tin intelligibly springiness america antithetic options. Everyone knows him.

"He's a kid who, owed to his dynamic, tin play wrong and outside. Someone who understands and connects precise good with Leo, who's our champion player. That's besides a immense advantage. Well, overmuch much so. Rodrigo and Leo are precise important players connected their team, hopefully he'll beryllium important for america arsenic well."

Mascherano did not regularisation retired the anticipation of De Paul, who played with Atlético Madrid successful the Club World Cup this summer, making his debut against Atlas, but emphasized the concern remains retired of his control.

"For Rodrigo, portion it's existent helium can't bid with the group, he's been grooming separately," Mascherano added. "He's been grooming for the past fewer weeks. He's physically fine. Well, arsenic soon arsenic we person everything related to the permits to beryllium capable to enactment and play here, we'll bring him in."

Inter Miami lifted the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy successful 2023 nether erstwhile caput manager Gerardo Martino, earlier falling successful the 2024 circular of 16 to the Columbus Crew.