Javier Mascherano hinted that Lionel Messi could be rested for Inter Miami in MLS, with Toronto FC next up on Sunday.

Miami were on a nine-match unbeaten streak in all competitions before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in their Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-final first leg in midweek.

In MLS, the Herons sit top of the Eastern Conference on 13 points, having won their last four games on the bounce after opening the season with a draw.

However, Mascherano admitted Messi could sit out of the Toronto game in order for him to be available and fresh for the second leg against LAFC next week.

"We'll talk about it with him as we always do, just like we do with most players," he said. "Obviously, I have an idea, but it's open to discussion.

"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."

There was also some criticism of Messi's performance against LAFC after he drew a blank, though he attempted a game-high five shots in the game and created one chance.

"He's a player who understands the game like no one else," Mascherano added. "He must be one of the few players in the world who always does what the game asks for.

"If he's deeper, it's because he's looking for where to receive the ball and where to make an impact."

Toronto, meanwhile, have made a torrid start to the 2025 season, and sit second from bottom in the table after earning just two points.

They earned a big point against the West leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps, last weekend, and head coach Robin Fraser stressed the importance of his players working together in another tough test.

"We don't even need to go into the amount of talent that they have on that team," he said.

"For us, it's another week where we have to work really hard, we have to work cohesively as a unit, defend well and take care of the ball.

"It's a team that can hurt you in so many ways, so we have to be a really, really solid group; it's about what we do collectively."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has contributed to at least one goal in 10 straight home matches for Inter Miami in all competitions, totalling 15 goal contributions over that run.

This is Messi's longest run of consecutive club home games with a goal contribution since a stunning run of 14 straight with Barcelona in 2015-16.

Toronto FC – Deybi Flores

Toronto's seven shots against Vancouver on Saturday added up to an expected goals value of 0.77, with Deybi Flores responsible for the highest individual total (0.34 xG) despite having just one effort.

It marked the 41st time since the start of the 2023 season that Toronto FC had an expected goals total under 1.00 in a match, five more than any other team in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Inter Miami have won all six of their home matches against Toronto FC, outscoring the Reds 19-6 in those games. Only Seattle Sounders (eight vs. Minnesota United), Atlanta United (seven vs. Chicago Fire) and Tampa Bay Mutiny (seven vs. San Jose Earthquakes) have a better 100% home record against a single opponent in MLS history.

Miami extended their club-record regular-season unbeaten run to 16 games (W12 D4) with a 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union last week.

The Herons have lost only two of their last 32 regular-season matches dating back to the beginning of April 2024 (W23 D7).

Toronto, meanwhile, have earned just two points this season and are off to their second-worst start to a season in club history through six games (no points in 2012). The Reds are one of a record five MLS teams with two points or fewer through six matches this season after only one of the league's first 29 seasons had more than one such team (three in 2019).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 78.2%

Draw – 13.2%

Toronto FC – 8.7%