FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The first few minutes of Javier Mascherano's introductory news conference as Inter Miami coach on Tuesday were rough. He was coughing, struggling to get words out ...

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

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 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.

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.