Messi and Alba Ready for the Match against Porto
Inter Miami CF coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be available for the team’s next match in the second matchday of the group stage of the Club World Cup against FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Alba returns to the team after almost three weeks out with a hamstring injury suffered on May 28 in an MLS match against Montreal. He left the field in the 24th minute and has been out since then, before joining the team for training earlier this week.Mascherano also informed that Messi trained well after the first Club World Cup match against Al Ahly, which ended 0-0, and will play on Thursday. In addition, Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Luján and David Ruiz are still out. Despite numerous injuries, Mascherano hopes to prove that the club can compete even with European teams in the tournament.“The only one who will be available to us and who wasn’t in the last match is Jordi Alba. The rest are still not available. Jordi, three weeks ago suffered a hamstring injury, so we will evaluate what is best, if he starts or comes on as a substitute. We know, but I won’t say,” said Mascherano.
Javier Mascherano
Mascherano cited the results of the South American teams and the 1-1 draw between Inter Milan and Monterrey as inspiration and proof that any team can achieve results in the competition. After the match against Porto on Thursday, Miami will conclude the group stage of the tournament against Palmeiras on Monday in Miami.“The reality is that we are focused on tomorrow’s match. It’s a match that all the players on our team want to play because you face and test yourself against an opponent that plays in Europe, plays in the Champions League, that plays in important competitions,” added Mascherano.
Javier Mascherano
