Miami CF coach Javier Mascherano hopes Lionel Messi enters the 2025 League Cup Championships, getting in with more momentum after providing a single game for losing the MLS All-Star Game, adding that the rest may serve the players well given the upcoming match “Marathon” game.
Miami started Wednesday night’s League Cup campaign against Liga MX Team Atlas at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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“About Leo, yes, I hope he has super motivation. The reality is, obviously, I said this after the Cincinnati game and we didn't expect it to be a pause. But, well, that's good for us.”
“The truth is, after many consecutive games, we have to give him a mandatory break. In some ways, I think the rest of the game is also him starting this new game, we will get the game before the League Cup and continue to play with the MLS. So he's a little new.”
The coach confirmed that both Jordi Alba and Messi should play on Wednesday before making a joke.
“If they don't pause them, Jody and Messi will be available.”
The newly signed Rodrigo de Paul helped Argentina win the World Cup with Messi but still didn't train with the rest of the team while waiting for his visa, but Mascherano confirmed he could play on Wednesday.
“We are waiting for them to arrive, so to speak, paperwork arrives so that he can be called. “It's obvious. Well, he is a player who can clearly give us different choices. Everyone knows him.
“He is a kid who can play both internally and externally due to his dynamics. A guy who understands and connects well with Leos, he is our best player. That's also a huge advantage. Well, more. Rodrigo and Leos are very important players on their team and hopefully he's important to us as well.”
Mascherano does not rule out the possibility of De Paul, who made his debut against Atlas this summer with Atlético Madrid at the club World Cup, but stressed that the situation is still out of control.
“For Rodrigo, while he can't train with the group, he's been training separately,” Mascherano added. “He's been training for the past few weeks. He's in good health. Well, once we have everything related to being able to work and play here, we'll bring him in.”
Inter Miami canceled the first League Cup trophy in 2023 under former head coach Gerardo Martino, before falling into the 16-round championship in 2024.