Javier Mascherano slams the timing of the star game while Miami awaits news on the suspension of Lionel Messi
Javier Mascherano criticized the timing of the game MLS ALL-STAR as “crazy” with Inter Miami who is still waiting to know if Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be sanctioned for jumping the match.
Normally, players who are missing ASG without medical exemption receive a ban on a match, but it seems that MLS probably offers clemency to the old pair of Barcelona due to the calendar in charge of Miami around the club World Cup.
Mascherano does not understand planning
ASG was played in Austin on Wednesday evening between regular championship matches, a situation that Mascherano finds confusing.
The boss of Miami said: “What I think is that if they want to do this type of event is great to do it, and the truth is that it’s great for the League. There should be no date in the [regular] calendar. It’s crazy.
“We have played four of the last five games. We played four. We played practically every three days.
“Stop for the weekend, the star match is played on weekends, and we come back because after Wednesday, today, 48 hours after playing, there are teams that will play today, and it’s not enough rest for players either.
“So the first thing we have to think is that football belongs to players. And if football belongs to players, without players, it does not exist.”
Messi still shines at 38
Messi has played every minute in 22 of Florida’s last 23 games in all competitions, even if he is now 38 years old.
Despite this workload, he maintained his usual high standards, scoring at least two goals in the last seven MLS MIMA games, including a series of five games in a row.
Mascherano added: “We must understand that Leo is happy to play and each time he is able to play, he will do it. We have clear an advantage when we play and we want to use it as much as possible in as many games as possible.”
Messi and Alba returned to training on Friday and are probably on the side which will face FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening at the Chase Stadium, prohibit any late decision by MLS.
