Inter Miami are set to host Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in the opening match of the Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs on October 24.
One of the most important questions ahead of the Herons’ upcoming crucial game has been about captain Lionel Messi’s availability, especially after reports suggested that the Argentine icon was absent from Tuesday’s squad training due to a back injury.
Inter Miami recently announced that Messi has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2028, and now, it appears that the Herons’ head coach, Javier Mascherano, has some good news for the fans.
Speaking ahead of the opening game of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Mascherano confirmed that Messi will be available for the match, assuring fans that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is ‘ready to play 90 minutes and more.’
What did Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano say about Lionel Messi?
Mascherano explained that Messi’s absence from the session was a precautionary move after he experienced some discomfort in his back, and the 38-year-old star has since been back in training, and told reporters,
“He trained on Monday but was feeling some tightness in his back, so on Tuesday we preferred that he rest rather than add more workload and risk making it worse,” as per GOAL.
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“Yesterday, he trained normally and completed the full session with us, so with that rest, we managed to prevent the pain from increasing, nothing more. He’s ready to play 90 minutes and more.”
With 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 league games this season, it remains to be seen if Messi is able to lead Inter Miami to lift their first-ever MLS Cup in the club’s history.
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