Mascherano Explains Why Messi Played For Inter Miami After Missing Argentina Match

Lionel Messi once again proved why he remains the heartbeat of Inter Miami, netting twice in their 4-0 win over Atlanta United in the early hours of today, barely 24 hours after sitting out Argentina’s friendly win over Venezuela.

The 38-year-old World Cup winner had been called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the doubleheader against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. While Messi trained with the national team during the week, he was not included in the lineup for Friday’s 1-0 win at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Scaloni later explained that Messi was sidelined because the coach wanted to assess the attacking partnership between Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez.

What surprised many fans, however, was seeing Messi start for Inter Miami the following day. Miami coach Javier Mascherano has now cleared the air on how that came to be.

“Yesterday, before the match, I talked to [Argentina manager Lionel] Scaloni, and he said no, that he was not going to use him, that he was going to sit him down. And I spoke to Leo to see if he could play,” Mascherano said after the match.

“It was his decision, and clearly he saw the opportunity that if he wasn’t going to play against Venezuela yesterday, we could use him. Leo, of course, was ready to do it.”

Messi, showing no signs of fatigue, delivered a masterclass. He curled home a stunning opener in the 39th minute and sealed the win with his second in the 87th.

Naija News reports that the brace took Messi’s tally to 26 goals this season, moving him to the top of the MLS scoring chart.

He also set up Jordi Alba for Miami’s third goal, while Luis Suárez completed the rout against a subdued Atlanta side.

“He is a very special player, he’s an icon, and even though he didn’t train last week with us, we saw what he did today,” Mascherano added. “He has helped us to win, he managed to score. That for him was important.”

Note that Inter Miami, already assured of a play-off spot, remain third in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with second-placed FC Cincinnati.

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