Inter Miami CF’s Upcoming Match
Inter Miami CF’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, has announced that star player Lionel Messi will make his comeback from injury in the upcoming match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening at Chase Stadium. This marks his return to the field since he sustained a minor muscle injury to his right leg on August 2 during the Leagues Cup encounter against Necaxa, which led to him leaving the match prematurely in the first half.
Messi’s Recovery and Training
Since then, Messi has resumed full training with the squad as of August 13, with Mascherano stating,
“Lionel is doing well. He participated in training sessions starting Wednesday, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will likely be included in the squad for tomorrow’s match.”
Team Updates and Challenges
In addition to Messi’s injury updates, Mascherano confirmed that despite some visa-related travel issues affecting his training, Rodrigo De Paul would also be ready to play against the Galaxy. Inter Miami is gearing up for a Major League Soccer regular-season clash with LA, closely followed by a Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Liga MX’s Tigres UANL on August 20.
The head coach is currently facing roster challenges, having just lost midfielder Federico Redondo to LaLiga’s Elche, and with goalkeeper Drake Callender nearing a transfer to Charlotte FC, the squad may seem depleted. However, Mascherano expressed confidence in the team’s balance and potential future signings before the transfer window closes.
Transfer Market Insights
“The transfer market is still open for another week, and we will be exploring our options right up until the deadline. Although we might appear to have less depth at the moment, I believe our current squad is well-structured,”
he noted, suggesting that while they may seek to bolster certain positions, he feels positive about the players returning to health.
Mascherano has indicated that the team is particularly eyeing both defensive and offensive reinforcements, with Gonzalo Piovi of Cruz Azul being mentioned as a possible target. However, he was cautious not to divulge too much information about ongoing negotiations.
“I’m aware of the rumors regarding Piovi, but I prefer to respect our current players and the other clubs involved by not commenting on individuals who aren’t yet part of our team,”
Mascherano added.
This summer’s transfer window saw the addition of De Paul, further enhancing an already star-studded roster for Inter Miami.
