Javier Mascherano has slammed the timing of the MLS All-Star Game as “crazy” with Inter Miami still waiting to hear if Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be sanctioned for skipping the fixture.

Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi against FC Cincinnati as the two Eastern Conference rivals go head-to-head.

Inter Miami will have a week off until their next MLS game, which is on July 26 at Chase Stadium. The Herons are still in the battle for the top positions in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters Shield table.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has reported that Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will join the group training later this week.

Declan Rice has a relative novice when it comes to a midfield holding role, but Manuel Lanzini claims his West Ham team-mate has the potential to “be better than Javier Mascherano”.

The MLS All-Star Game is set for Wednesday, July 23, but Javier Mascherano doesn’t want Lionel Messi involved in the match against Liga MX stars. In a team full of veterans, Inter Miami can’t afford to have players involved in extracurricular matters at this point of the season.

Javier Mascherano has made Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami's objective clear after their elimination from the Club World Cup.

Javier Mascherano, who was Messi's teammate with Barcelona and Argentina's national team, was hired after a brisk search that only took a few days to complete.

Lionel Messi is “from another planet”, says Javier Mascherano, with the Barcelona and Argentina superstar able to make football look easy with his otherworldly talent.