Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Lionel Messi will miss the upcoming match against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday due to a minor injury. The Argentina captain suffered a muscle strain in his right leg during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash against Necaxa on Saturday. Messi had to leave the pitch in the 11th minute and was immediately escorted to the locker room.
Mascherano Remains Optimistic About Messi’s Quick Recovery
Despite the setback, Mascherano remains optimistic about Messi’s recovery. “Yes, I spoke to him. Well, the club issued a statement that was very clear. It’s a slight injury, within the bad news, it’s good news,” Mascherano said in a Tuesday news conference.
Mascherano refrained from providing a specific timeline for Messi’s return, emphasizing the importance of Messi’s recovery process. “We don’t like to estimate a return, especially in Leo’s [case]. He usually recovers very well from injuries and above all, normally does with speed,” he continued. “So we will see, but clearly for tomorrow he is unavailable. But then we will see how he feels, how he progresses.”
Maximiliano Falcón Available After Rescinded Red Card
As Messi focuses on recovering, Inter Miami is preparing for their final group-stage match in the Leagues Cup against Pumas UNAM. The team needs a victory to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish in the group stage. Inter Miami currently holds third place in the standings with five points after defeating Atlas FC and drawing with Necaxa, securing an additional point through a penalty shootout victory.
In other news, Maximiliano Falcón will be available to play in the upcoming match after his red card was rescinded by the disciplinary committee. “The team was careful to appeal the red card and obviously they gave us the decision. We thought it was unfair in the game, and this decision ended up confirming it,” said Mascherano. “He’s an important part of the team, especially at this point in the season.”
Inter Miami’s next challenge will be against Orlando City on Sunday in MLS regular-season action, a match that will follow their encounter with Pumas.
Mascherano Praises Busquets’ Impact at Inter Miami
Mascherano also praised veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets, highlighting his importance to the team and Inter Miami’s overall project. “Busquets is obviously a very important player in the history of football and the club. I went to Barcelona to learn from him; I went as a substitute and learned from him, so imagine what life is like now that I have to coach him. Things that are inexplicable,” Mascherano said.
He continued, “Clearly, when it comes to the top four, now including Rodrigo De Paul, they are issues for the club and the club’s project, where they end up talking face to face with the owners and the decisions are beyond that.”
Mascherano expressed his admiration for Busquets’ contributions thus far, adding, “I’m delighted with these seven months for Sergio. I hope he can continue playing, and if it’s at Inter Miami, even better. I tell him every day, he has a lot to contribute.”
The Inter Miami coach made it clear he is not involved in the ongoing discussions between the club and Busquets about his future with the team. “I’m not involved in anything that has to do with the talks between the player and the club. I don’t have much information on that,” Mascherano concluded.
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