"We're not a team that chooses which competitions to play in; we're obligated to compete in all of them. Clearly, the Champions League is the only competition the club normally plays in that we're missing, and it's generating a lot of excitement for all of us. Now, what we can't allow is for this to become an obsession. It's one thing to be excited, another to be obsessed."
"The choice to rest Messi comes from Mascherano, and not due to any current injury. The Argentine captain last played for Inter Miami on Wednesday night against Nashville SC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, drawing 0-0 at GEODIS Park. Messi played the entire match."
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has decided to rest captain Lionel Messi for Saturday's MLS regular-season match against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. The decision stems from coaching strategy rather than any injury concern. Messi played the full match Wednesday night against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, which ended 0-0. Teammate Rodrigo De Paul will also be absent from Saturday's action. Despite previously emphasizing the Concacaf Champions Cup's importance, Mascherano maintains he treats all competitions equally throughout the season. Inter Miami currently holds six points in MLS with two wins and one loss to start the 2026 campaign.
Read at ESPN.com
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