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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Have played three fewer matches</li><li>Messi has now scored 54 goals for the club</li><li>Reached 14 goals this season</li></ul><div data-name="Apple TV" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" class="logo" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link" rel="sponsored">Stream games now</a></div>

'We need to find time to rest him' - Inter Miami's Javier Mascherano acknowledges Lionel Messi's heavy matchload after win over New England Revolution

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

Nashville SC

Austin FC

New England Revolution

After another full 90-minute performance from Lionel Messi, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/inter-miami-player-ratings-new-england-revolution-lionel-messi-mls-history-herons/blt96c9df084fcfa4fd" target="_self">who scored twice in Inter Miami’s win over New England</a>, manager Javier Mascherano addressed growing concerns about the Argentine star’s minutes piling up in recent weeks."Our initial plan was to give him some rest tonight," Mascherano admitted during the post-match press conference. "But once New England scored, we felt the pressure and decided to keep him on. In the next few matches, we need to find the right moment to let him rest."Mascherano emphasized that Messi was always going to feature, but hoped the match scenario would allow for rotation. "We were clear that Leo would play, but we were hoping the game would give us a window to rest him. Once New England scored, we felt it was better to keep him on the pitch. Still, at some point, we need to give him a break," he said.In the 15 MLS matches Messi has played this season, the only one he didn’t complete was on March 29 against the Philadelphia Union. He was not included in the squad for the April 27 match against FC Dallas, which was the last time he was given a rest.He’s now played the full 90 minutes in nine consecutive MLS games for The Herons, along with four matches in the Club World Cup and the final four games of Inter Miami’s Champions Cup run.Mascherano also addressed concerns around goalkeeper Óscar Ustari, who had a strong performance but appeared to be in discomfort late in the match. "It was just a knock, not a serious injury. We’ll monitor him over the next few days," he confirmed.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi’s goals once again delivered three crucial points for Mascherano, as Inter Miami completed the second of seven matches scheduled for a packed July.Despite just returning from the FIFA Club World Cup, The Herons continue to push forward in the Eastern Conference, now sitting fifth with 35 points, having played three fewer matches than most of their rivals.This weekend, they’ll host Nashville SC in what promises to be a major test of their form. The Tennessee-based side currently holds second place in the East with 41 points, making Saturday’s clash a key opportunity for Miami to prove they can compete with the top teams in the league.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With his two goals today against New England, Messi has reached 54 goals in Inter Miami's history. He now holds a 20-goal lead over Luis Suárez, who sits in second place on the club’s all-time scoring list.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mascherano’s side will host Nashville SC this Saturday at Chase Stadium.

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

'We need to find time to rest him' - Inter Miami's Javier Mascherano acknowledges Lionel Messi's heavy matchload after win over New England Revolution | Goal.com

With tonight’s win, The Herons reached 35 points from 18 MLS matches.

&apos;We need to find time to rest him&apos; - Inter Miami&apos;s Javier Mascherano acknowledges Lionel Messi&apos;s heavy matchload after win over New England Revolution

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