Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said that Lionel Messi would be fit on Thursday to face Porto at the World Cup of Club, despite showing signs of discomfort in training.
There was a video of Messi that touched his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed that the veteran attacker was ready for Miami's second group A match in Atlanta.
“During the journey from Miami to Atlanta I saw it in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the entire session,” Mascherano told reporters.
“He touched his leg, sometimes people touch himself, but there is no problem, he is fit and he will of course play tomorrow.”
The coach said that Messi's former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury.
“We will evaluate what is best for us if he starts or not,” said the coach. “I already know, but I'll not tell you.”
Mascherano meanwhile said that retaining ownership would be the key to Portugal in Portugal, regular Champions League participants who will probably offer the MLS team a strict test.
“We have players who feel much more comfortable when they are in possession, dominate and have control over the game through the ball,” said the Argentinian.
“Of course we are confronted with a team that is also used to doing that, which are a high level side.
“But on the field we are 11 to 11, we will try to close their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result.”
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Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of the World Cup winning side of Spain 2010 and one of the former Barcelona teammates of Messi, admitted that his team would be against the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“They have very good players, they have strengthened and we know it will be very difficult,” Busquets told reporters.
“They are a team that competes every year for their competition, against other great teams such as Sporting and Benfica.
“We will try to be as solid as possible, stay close together and try to do the best we can do as a team.
“If we get risks, we have the individuals (they can finish), but above all we have to be solid and keep a clean leaf.”