Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto in the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training.
A Video from Messi emerged playing his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed that the veteran striker was ready for the second game of Group A of Miami in Atlanta.
“On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that he left some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, completed the entire session,” Mascherano told journalists.
“I was touching the leg, sometimes people touch, but there is no problem, it is in shape and will obviously play tomorrow.”
The coach said that former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba was available after the 0-0 opening draw against Ahly due to an injury.
“We will evaluate what is better for us, whether or not it starts,” said the coach. “Actually, I know, but I will not tell you.”
Meanwhile, Mascherano said that the possession of retention would be the key against the regular participants of the Portuguese Champions League, which will probably provide the MLS team for a severe test.
“We have players who feel much more comfortable when they are in possession, dominating and have control of the game through the ball,” said the Argentine.
“Of course, we face a team that is also used to doing so, which are a high -level side.
“But in the field we are 11 against 11, we will try to close their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result.”
The Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, member of the winning team of the Spain Cup and one of the team teammates in Barcelona in Messi, admitted that his team would face the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
“They have very good players, have been reinforced and we know it will be very difficult,” Busquets told reporters.
“They are a team that competes every year for their league, against other great teams such as Sporting and Benfica.
“We will try to be as solid as possible, stay together and try to do our best we can as a team.
“If we have opportunities, we have people (which can finish them), but above all we have to be solid and maintain a clean sheet.”
