A mocking hand gesture from the Inter Miami star provoked an angry response from Club América fans.
Inter Miami started the 2025 year with a 2-2 draw against Mexican giants Club América last weekend, a successful performance for the team in Javier Mascherano's first match in charge.
The Herons' first goal of the new year was scored by Lionel Messi, who nodded home from close range after Luis Suárez found him in the penalty area. Messi marked the goal with a '3-0' hand gesture to the many Mexican fans in attendance, marking Argentina's three World Cup wins to Mexico's clean sheet.
Messi led Argentina to the trophy in 2022, beating Mexico in a thrilling group stage along the way. The 37-year-old's mocking gestures were criticized in some quarters, but Mascherano insisted on Tuesday he saw no problem with his captain's actions.
“No, the truth is that I did not speak to Leo, so I did not attach more importance to it,” Mascherano told reporters.
“I think we have more important problems to deal with, yes and logically I have had to play against Mexican teams and against the Mexican national team. We know that they are usually hostile towards us Argentinians and I think that will happen also after the World Cup. Cup that wound is still open.”
When is Lionel Messi's next match?
The draw in America was a solid start for the new head coach, but he will know the stakes are high in 2025, likely the last season in which Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez play together. After winning the Supporters Shield last season, the post-season first round exit was a major frustration for the ambitious young club and they will be keen to get going quickly this year.
Next up for Inter Miami is a trip to Lima, Peru, where they will take on Club Universitario de Deportes on Wednesday, January 29. The Herons' 2025 preseason tour is a less demanding affair than last year's schedule and Mascherano is benefiting from having more time with his team. new players on the training field.
He said: “We resume training today because we arrived very, very late on Sunday and we prefer to rest both Sunday and Monday, so as far as I understand, the doctors have told me that they are all available to to be able to train, even Facundo Farías. He will be part of the training; Last week he had a problem, but everything is fine.”
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