Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano described Lionel Messi as the “soul” of his team after he had set up the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday against Los Angeles FC.
Only nine minutes in the second stage of their quarterfinals, Miami stood on an aggregate with 2-0. Then, on Messi, whose brace inspired a stunning comeback victory.
Messi scored with a wonderful finish from the edge of the box, after Federico Redondo leveled the draw 2-2, the Barcelona icon yielded the winner from the penalty spot.
Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi, had nothing but praise for his star man after the game and said: “He is the soul of this team. There is no doubt.”
Mascherano spoke with honesty and humility about the unique dynamics of coaching someone with whom he shared the field for two decades, both for Barcelona and Argentina.
“Sometimes I feel uncomfortable to talk about him because he has been my teammate for more than 20 years, and now I have to support him in this new role as a coach,” he said.
“He has done it all in the game. He is the biggest in history and he still gives the example of how to compete, show the way. He will always want to win, and he will do the impossible to win.”
After another striking version in Fort Lauderdale, the Argentina -Superster has now contributed to at least one goal in 18 of its last 19 home games with Miami since the beginning of 2024.
The eight -time balloon d'Or winner does not show any signs of delay, which causes the chance of creating the creation with seven – four more than anyone else on the field on Wednesday.
Macherano has attributed part of the success of his team to happiness and said: “The reality is that for a comeback like this happiness often has to stand by your side- and that was it.”
The comeback pic.twitter.com/J8vorVF2ZP
– Inter Miami CF (@intermiamicf) 10 April 2025
Mascherano's praise was not only reserved for Messi, because he added: 'I want to thank the players for their efforts.
“Despite the difficulties, a goal admitted within the first five minutes and for a steep challenge in the draw, they believed. They believed they could turn it around, and they proved it. This victory is theirs, and I am grateful for them.”
Miami will now be confronted with the Vancouver WhiteCaps in the semi -final of the Champions Cup, which compete for a place in the final against Tigres of Cruz Azul.
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