Mascherano Expects a Motivated Messi for the Leagues Cup 2025
Inter Miami CF coach Javier Mascherano is confident that Lionel Messi will approach the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament with renewed motivation. This, after serving a one-match suspension for missing the MLS All-Star game, and he believes that the rest could benefit the player ahead of the demanding schedule of upcoming matches. Inter Miami will begin its participation in the Leagues Cup facing the Liga MX team, Atlas, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday night.Mascherano also added that the forced rest was beneficial for Messi, after a series of consecutive matches. He considers that this will allow him to start the “marathon” of matches that includes the Leagues Cup and MLS with more energy. The coach confirmed the availability of Jordi Alba and Messi for Wednesday’s match. The new signing, Rodrigo De Paul, who won the World Cup with Argentina alongside Messi, has not yet trained with the team due to visa issues. Mascherano assured that, as soon as the paperwork is resolved, De Paul will be called up.Regarding Leo, we hope he is super motivated. The reality is that, obviously, I said it after the match against Cincinnati, we did not expect the suspension. But, well, it’s something good for us.
Javier Mascherano
Mascherano did not rule out the possibility that De Paul, who played with Atlético de Madrid in the Club World Cup this summer, will debut against Atlas, but emphasized that the situation depends on external factors. Mascherano added that, although De Paul cannot train with the group, he has been training separately and is in good physical shape. As soon as the permits are resolved, he will join the team. Inter Miami was crowned champion of the Leagues Cup in 2023 under the direction of Gerardo Martino, but was eliminated in the round of 16 of 2024 by the Columbus Crew.We are waiting for the paperwork to arrive so we can call him up. If he is eligible, he will be called up. He is a player who can give us different options. Everyone knows him. He is a guy who, because of his dynamics, can play inside and outside. Someone who understands and connects very well with Leo, who is our best player. That is a great advantage. Rodrigo and Leo are very important players on their team, hopefully they will be for us too.
Javier Mascherano
