Rumors have circulated that Rodrigo De Paul could be heading to Major League Soccer to reunite with Lionel Messi — and Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has now addressed the speculation. For several days,

Now, they take on Nashville SC, led by MLS Golden Boot leader Sam Surridge and 2023 MLS MVP, Hany Mukhtar. The Tennessee club are also riding a four-game winning streak in MLS play, and could go to the top of the Eastern Conference with a win.

Lionel Messi surely will get a rest at some point in the coming weeks after playing at least 90 minutes in 14 consecutive games, but it seems likely he will be in the Inter Miami starting lineup on Saturday night for a critical home game against Nashville SC.

Lionel Messi scored two first-half goals Wednesday at Gillette Stadium to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution and set a new Major League Soccer record with his fourth-straight league match with at least two goals.

No team in MLS is playing quite like Nashville SC right now. Led by former U.S. men’s national team interim head coach B.J. Callaghan, the Coyotes are on a 15-game unbeaten run and have won their last five matches in all competitions.