FC Cincinnati v Inter Miami CF
Alba and Messi were selected to participate in next week's match, where the MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars
WHAT HAPPENED?
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said he prefers that Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba both not participate in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, claiming his players should be resting during the middle of their season.
The duo are the Herons' two representatives at this summer's All-Star Game on July 23 in Austin, when they take on the LIGA MX All-Stars. Alba will also be participating in the Skills Challenge event the day prior, while Messi will not be.
"The players are called up, I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision," Mascherano said. "I know how important the All Star [Game] is, and as far as I know there is no decision from the club, everything is as normal."
FC Cincinnati v Inter Miami CF
THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to ESPN, both Messi and Alba are expected to travel for the MLS All-Star game early next week.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, are playing their third match in seven days on Saturday evening when they travel to Sports Illustrated Stadium to take on the New York Red Bulls. The match follows a 3-0 loss midweek to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium in Ohio.
The Herons have played four matches since returning from the Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by PSG. Manager Javier Mascherano has now voiced concerns over the team’s demanding schedule, especially following an injury to goalkeeper Oscar Ustari on Wednesday. He suggested he might rest a few players in Saturday’s match in Harrison, N.J.
"Today, we'll talk to some of the players about how they're feeling. Obviously, we’ll rotate in some positions. We want to wait until tomorrow to see how a few of the guys are recovering - it's important to wait. I don’t like rotating the team too much; there won’t be six or seven changes, because that weakens the team and doesn’t do any favors to the players coming in, since they don’t have full match rhythm," he explained.
Regarding Messi’s involvement in the match - given his heavy workload recently - Mascherano said it will depend entirely on the Argentine star’s physical condition.
"We’ll talk to Leo. If he’s feeling good, he will most likely start," he said. "Regarding injuries, I'm not a specialist. It clearly worries me because, in the end, the team has been suffering from a lot of muscle injuries all season. The intensity of the games we've played, especially in the last month and a half, has been very, very high. But, well, we also clearly have to find some explanation, improve, and try to avoid it because obviously the team is gradually deteriorating with injuries."
Mascherano said he does not yet know the extent of Ustari's injury.
"Ustari suffered an injury, but I do not know the extent of the timeline. He will not play tomorrow, the goalkeeper will be Rocco [Rios Novo]," he said.
DID YOU KNOW?
Inter Miami begins its Leagues Cup journey on July 30 against Atlas. They'll be looking to become the first multi-time champion of the competition after winning it in 2023.
Inter Miami CF v Nashville SC
WHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?
The Herons clash with RBNY Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
