The superstar duo were not in practice, and Mascherano revealed Messi is fatigued following Champions Cup action
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Messi, Suarez reportedly were not involved in Miami trainingMascherano admits travel, fatigue impacting squadThere could be changes ahead of Sunday's match vs. DallasGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez missed the portion of training open to the media Saturday, according to a report, and manager Javier Mascherano acknowledged there could be changes to the starting XI when the team hosts FC Dallas on Sunday.
"Surely there will be changes in the team," Mascherano told reporters. "Because clearly I think that it's important to prioritize the next game and to get out of the defeat we need to win."
Mascherano referred to Inter Miami's 2-0 defeat against the Whitecaps in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in Vancouver. The Argentine manager also acknowledged Messi's playing on turf, a rarity for the 38-year-old veteran, is impacting his fitness.
"Messi ended the game well. Obviously he was fatigued, playing on synthetic grass can make a player even more fatigued due to the floor. But he finished the game well," he said.
ESPN reported Messi and Suárez's absence, while also noting that goalkeeper Óscar Ustari did not participate in training with the rest of the group and that midfielder Sergio Busquets worked separately.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Inter Miami's heavy slate of scheduled matches as a result of going deep in the Champions Cup and MLS has impacted the team, especially Messi. The forward has played in six of eight league matches, making five starts. Mascherano bemoaned the travel between Miami's last game on Thursday and its upcoming match on Sunday.
"One thing is to play every three days. Most of our players are used to it, another thing is to play with less than 72 hours, he said. "It's not even 72 hours, with a trip of six hours. Clearly, it's not the same situation as against Toronto because we had played against LAFC on a Wednesday. We had more time on the recovery. I think it was Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday. So, yes, we'll see.
"In the end, we rested yesterday morning. Now we will see. Surely there will be changes in the team. Because clearly I think that it's important to prioritize the next game and to get out of the defeat we need to win."
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
The last time Miami hosted Dallas was more than two years ago in April 2023. It was a dramatically different side from the star-powered group currently featured on the squad.
DeAndre Yedlin was the captain, and Phil Neville was the coach in a 1-0 loss. USMNT striker Jesus Ferreira would score the winner. Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets would all join later that summer. Neville was later sacked.
WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
Inter Miami will host FC Dallas Sunday, and whether their stars start or feature remains to be determined.