Javier Mascherano admits to having snubbed David Beckham and a move to MLS expansion side Inter Miami in favour of returning to his roots at Estudiantes.

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

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.

Lionel Messi’s name is on the MLS All-Star roster, but questions remain as to whether the Inter Miami star will take the field in Austin. His absence from training and the Skills Challenge has raised eyebrows ahead of the clash against Liga MX.

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.

Declan Rice has a relative novice when it comes to a midfield holding role, but Manuel Lanzini claims his West Ham team-mate has the potential to “be better than Javier Mascherano”.

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.