Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said he would prefer that Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba not participate in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, insisting players should be resting amid the ongoing regular season.

Comparisons quickly surfaced between Lionel Messi’s $12 million salary at Inter Miami and Lamine Yamal’s lucrative new deal with FC Barcelona. Lamine Yamal recently signed a lucrative contract extension with FC Barcelona after emerging as one of the brightest young stars in world soccer at just 18 years old.

Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has agreed to contract terms with Inter Miami. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press about the deal on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the signing has not been announced.

Rodrigo De Paul talked up his admiration of Lionel Messi, with a transfer from Atlético Madrid to Inter Miami now set to be completed. De Paul will trade La Liga for Major League Soccer after four years in Spain, boosting an Inter Miami roster that already boasts Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, in addition to Messi.

David Beckham has delivered an update on Inter Miami’s new stadium, but questions continue to be asked of whether Lionel Messi will play there.