Inter Miami’s head coach Javier Mascherano expressed a hopeful outlook regarding Lionel Messi’s injury, believing it won’t keep him out for an extended period. However, Messi will not participate in the upcoming match against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday evening.
On Saturday night, Messi sustained a “minor” muscle injury in his right leg while competing against Necaxa during the Leagues Cup at Chase Stadium, exiting the game in the 11th minute and heading straight to the locker room. The organization indicated that his return to play would hinge on “clinical progress and treatment response.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, Mascherano stated, “Yes, I had a conversation with him. The club released a statement that was clear. It’s a minor injury, and among the unfortunate news, it’s a positive sign.
“We prefer not to speculate on when he might be back, particularly in Leo’s situation. He typically recovers quite well from injuries and usually does so quickly. We will have to wait and see, but it’s evident that he won’t be available for tomorrow. Yet, we will monitor how he feels and his progression after that.”
After the match on Wednesday, the team is set to play against Orlando City in the MLS regular season on Sunday at Inter & Co Stadium.
For now, Inter Miami is gearing up to compete against Pumas in the concluding group stage encounter of the Leagues Cup tournament, keeping Maximiliano Falcón in consideration following the disciplinary committee’s decision to overturn his red card.
“The squad was diligent in contesting the red card, and naturally, the ruling was in our favor. We felt it was unjust during the match, and this ruling validated our perspective,” Mascherano remarked. “So, this is clearly a positive development. He plays a critical role on the team, particularly at this stage of the season. We will make a choice on whether he plays tomorrow or not.”
Due to the updated format of the tournament, Inter Miami must secure a win against Pumas on Wednesday to maintain their mathematical chances of finishing in the top four spots on the MLS standings. The leading four teams from each league will progress to the knockout phase.
Currently, Inter Miami holds the third position with five points across two matches, having triumphed over Atlas FC and later tying 2-2 against Necaxa, but clinching an additional point through a penalty shootout victory. Mascherano also expressed his respect for midfielder and Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets, whose contract with Miami is set to conclude at the year’s end.
“Busquets is undeniably a significant figure in football’s history and the club. I went to Barcelona to learn from him; I joined as a substitute and absorbed knowledge from him, so just think about what it feels like now to coach him. It’s an experience that’s hard to articulate,” Mascherano shared.
“Clearly, with the focus on the top four, now adding Rodrigo De Paul, these matters concern the club and its ongoing projects, where discussions take place directly with the owners, and the decisions go well beyond myself.
“I’ve been thrilled with these past seven months for Sergio. I hope he continues to play, and if it’s at Inter Miami, that would be fantastic. I remind him daily that he has much to offer. However, I am not part of the discussions between the player and the club, and I don’t possess substantial insight on that.”
