Messi still unfit in training; the Coach expects him to be fit before the Porto match
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training. A video emerged of Messi touching his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed the veteran forward was ready for Miami’s second Group A match in Atlanta. “On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that came out in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the whole session,” Mascherano told reporters. “He was touching his leg, sometimes people touch themselves, but there’s no problem, he’s fit and obviously he will play tomorrow.” The coach said Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury. “We’ll evaluate what’s best for us if he starts or not,” said the coach. “Actually, I already know but I won’t tell you.” Mascherano meanwhile said retaining possession would be the key against Portugal’s Porto, regular Champions League participants who are likely to provide the MLS team with a stern test. “We have players who feel much more comfortable when they’re in possession, dominating, and having control of the game through the ball,” said the Argentine. “Of course, we’re facing a team that also is used to doing that, who are a high-level side. “But on the pitch, we’re 11 against 11, we’ll try to shut down their strengths, expose their weaknesses, and try to have a great game to get a good result.” Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning side and one of Messi’s former Barcelona team-mates admitted his team would be up against it at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
Lionel Messi angry with the MLS Referee for accusing him of being unaware of the rule!
Lionel Messi is angry with MLS referees! Messi, irked with referring is generally not seen. But the Argentine lambasted them for the mediocre officiating during Inter Miami’s clash against rivals Orlando City. Struggling Inter Miami drop has dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS and were thrashed 3-0 on home soil by rivals Orlando City. The team conceded five of their last seven matches. In a manner of adding insult to injury, Messi was also booked for dissent in the second half of their walloping against Orlando City: an action that the Argentine took issue with and voiced his concern about. “It was a strange play, where one of their players passed to the goalkeeper, and the referee himself told me he didn’t know the rule, that he didn’t think so, that he didn’t understand it… And, well, that’s where the ball hit the ball and the goal came,” Messi reportedly told Relevo. “But the truth is that sometimes there are specific errors, like the last game, you know? They’re not excuses, but something always happens with the referees on a specific play. I think MLS should look a little more closely at the refereeing issue,” added Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain. After their loss, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who rarely gives interviews after matches, told Apple TV that it’s imperative for the team to stick together. He continued, “It’s a difficult time, but we’re going to come through this,” Messi said in Spanish. “Now we’ll really see if we’re a team. These are difficult times. When everything is going well, it’s very easy, but when difficult times come — like now — we have to be more united than ever, be a real team, and get through it.”
