Messi recovering as planned, says Miami coach Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano assured Friday that he is counting on Leo Messi for Sunday's friendly at Sporting San Miguelito in Panama and reported that his number ten “is doing very well” and is following the plan prepared by the coaching staff.

“Leo is very well, according to what we had been planning. In the first game the plan was to give him 60 minutes, on Wednesday it was to give him a little more and take him to almost 70 minutes, also knowing that we had a game four days later like the one we will face on Sunday,” said the former FC Barcelona player at a press conference at the Inter Miami Sports Center.

Messi played 66 minutes in Inter Miami's first preseason friendly, won on penalties against America in Las Vegas, and competed for 73 minutes in the 0-0 draw against Universidad de Deportes in Lima (Peru). The Argentine international scored a goal in the match against America. “The goal is to give everyone as many minutes as possible,” he said.

Inter Miami, with Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Spaniards Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in its ranks, will travel to Panama this Saturday to face Sporting San Miguelito on Sunday. The MLS side will then face Club Deportivo Olimpia on February 8th at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula (Honduras).

Finally, Inter Miami will close its preparation for the 2025 season with a match against Orlando City on February 14th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Mascherano also acknowledged that he expects other signings before the MLS market closes on April 23.

“The market is long, we know we have until the end of April, so we will go and see as well. We don't want to rush, but I'm sure some other player will arrive,” said the ‘Jefecito’.