Inter Miami are set to host Toronto FC on Saturday in Matchday 7 of the 2025 MLS season—just three days before a crucial second leg clash against LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. With a congested schedule, head coach Javier Mascherano addressed Lionel Messi’s condition and whether the Argentine icon will be rested this weekend.
The first leg ended in a 1-0 defeat for Inter Miami, putting their Champions Cup campaign at risk. With Saturday’s match wedged between two high-stakes fixtures, speculation has grown over the possibility of squad rotation to prioritize Wednesday’s decisive showdown.
Messi, who has dealt with muscle fatigue and minor injuries in recent months, is considered a likely candidate for rest. When asked about his availability during Friday’s press conference, Mascherano kept his cards close:
“We’ll talk about it with him as we always do, just like we do with most players. Obviously, I have an idea, but it’s open to discussion,” the coach stated. “Beyond the fact that Wednesday’s match is one of the most important games since the start of the season, we can’t ignore that what we do on Sunday will have an impact on Wednesday. It’s not something to overlook,” he added.
“We still have two days to go, and it hasn’t even been 48 hours since the game (against LAFC), so it will depend on how things go in the coming hours. We’ll make the decision on Sunday,” Mascherano ended his statement.
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Messi played the full 90 minutes in the loss to LAFC—something he’s only done four times in 2025. With Miami needing to overturn a deficit in the second leg at home, Mascherano could opt to start Messi on the bench or rest him entirely against Toronto.
Allen Obando already training with Inter Miami
Another development from Friday’s session was the sight of new signing Allen Obando training with the team. The 18-year-old forward joined Inter Miami on loan from Barcelona SC of Guayaquil through the end of the 2025 season, aimed at adding depth to the attack.
“He has all the paperwork; now we’re waiting for the ITC from Barcelona,” Mascherano said of Obando’s status. Once cleared to play, the 6-foot-2 striker is expected to become a key option for Mascherano, especially given the team’s recent struggles in front of goal. Obando’s size and presence could make him a valuable asset during the remainder of the campaign.
