Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, expressed his desire for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba to skip the 2025 MLS All-Star Game. Both players have been selected to represent Inter Miami against the top players from La Liga MX in Austin on July 23, with Alba also participating in the skills challenge the day prior.
“The players have been called up, and while I’d prefer them to rest, it’s not up to me,” Mascherano stated. “I understand how significant the All-Star games are, and to my knowledge, there hasn’t been an official decision from the club.”
Messi and Alba will be heading to Texas next week for the event.
Inter Miami is set to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night, marking their third match in just seven days. The team is intensifying their MLS regular season following their appearance in the Club World Cup, where they finished second in their group and were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stage.
Mascherano expressed worries about the frequency of games after goalkeeper Oscar Ustali was injured during a recent match against FC Cincinnati and had to be replaced by Rocco Rios Novo.
“I’m not an expert on injuries, but I’m certainly concerned as our team has faced numerous muscle injuries this season,” Mascherano mentioned. “The intensity of our recent games, particularly over the last six weeks, has taken a toll, and as injuries are mounting, we’ll need to find solutions and improve.”
Mascherano later confirmed that while Ustali is injured, he still isn’t sure how long he will be sidelined. “Ustali is hurt, but I can’t specify the timeline. He won’t be available tomorrow; Rocco (Rios Novo) will be in goal,” he added.
Inter Miami is gearing up for their upcoming summer tournament, facing Atlas on July 30 in the 2025 League Cup.
Fan Take: This news draws attention to the heavy schedule faced by top players and the potential fatigue that could impact the quality of play in the league. Soccer fans should be alert to how inter-player dynamics, especially with superstars like Messi and Alba, affect team performance and overall league competitiveness.
