Inter Miami will not take any risks with Lionel Messi's fitness, said coach Javier Mascherano after the Argentinian returned from an injury with a goal against the Philadelphia Union.
After he had missed the recent world cup qualifications of Argentina against Uruguay and Brazil because of adductor and thighs of discomfort, Messi was mentioned on the bank for the Saturday meeting among the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
He stood up in the 55th minute with Miami with 1-0 and lasted only two minutes to get on the score sheet, slide past a few challenges before he rolled a shot with the right foot over the goal and in when Miami won 2-1.
Messi has now contributed three goals and two assists in his last four MLS competitions, while Miami is clear a point at the top of the east with a competition in hand.
On Wednesday they visit Los Angeles FC for the first stage of a Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, but Mascherano is not sure if Messi will start that game.
“Of course we wanted Leo to have minutes,” Mascherano said reporters after the victory.
“Today with the extra time he played a little more, but he felt very good. We didn't want to risk him from the start.
“The plan is clear that he can recover and travel to Los Angeles. We have not taken any risk with him.
“Maybe he wasn't ready for 90 minutes, but it was good for him to play a total of 45 minutes with the added time.
“If nothing strange happens, the plan is for him to travel.”
Miami wins pic.twitter.com/wn0yrinygl
– Inter Miami CF (@intermiamicf) March 30, 2025
Messi has contributed to 59 goals in all competitions since he scored his Miami debut in July 2023 (39 goals, 20 assists), with Denis Bouanga (73 – 50 goals, 23 assists) and Cucho Hernandez (62 – 44 goals with more in more in those stresses).
Mascherano is no doubt that his former teammate of Barcelona is the best to play the game and describe him as a complete player.
“I think Messi is the biggest player in history. There will never be another one as he is. It is impossible,” said Mascherano.
“Twenty years as a top scorer … he is the total player. He can play as a striker, as a midfielder. Even if you would defend him, he would be the best defender.”
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