Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami, confirmed that Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are fit ahead of the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 against Nashville SC, scheduled for Wednesday evening at Chase Stadium.
The two players did not accompany the team to North Carolina over the weekend for the regular season MLS match against Charlotte FC on Saturday.
“Rodrigo and Leo didn’t make the trip, and it was a collective decision made with them,” Mascherano stated on Tuesday.
Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón is still out due to a knee injury he suffered during the first leg against Nashville on March 11, which ended in a scoreless draw.
“We had too many trips planned, especially considering playing on artificial turf can be tricky in Charlotte. We decided it was best for them to rest and avoid the additional travel,” Mascherano explained. “We’ve been traveling a lot recently, with nine matches in a month and a half between preseason and the start of the season. The only player unavailable is Maxi [Falcon]. Everyone else, including Leo and Rodrigo, is in great shape.”
Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales had previously indicated that Messi’s and De Paul’s absence was a strategic choice focused on the Champions Cup match.
“As a coaching staff, we often have to make these decisions,” Morales said on Saturday. “With a busy game schedule and an important home game ahead, Javier and the staff believed this was the best course of action. It was a joint decision.”
After receiving a red card in the closing moments of the match against Charlotte, Mascherano did not elaborate on the decision to rest Messi and De Paul. He received his initial yellow card for being outside the technical area, followed by a second yellow that led to his dismissal.
“I accept that I was sent off fairly. When I got the yellow card, I reacted because I was instructing a player, not addressing the referee. My actions were within reason, but I acknowledge I was in the wrong,” Mascherano said on Tuesday.
“Intense moments occur in games, and I’m not making excuses. When I err, I admit it, and I believe we should openly acknowledge our mistakes. However, I must say our team was performing well in that match. In those final minutes, I aimed to maintain control, especially for the younger players making their debuts. Sometimes the adrenaline leads to errors. I made mine, and I hope to minimize such mistakes in the future, although my passion for the sport often drives me.”
As Mascherano departed the field, he was met with applause from opposing fans at Bank of America Stadium, prompting him to encourage them for even more noise.
“That’s just a bit of folklore; the fans were giving me a hard time, and we Argentinians appreciate those moments. Nonetheless, we are all human, and emotions run high,” Mascherano remarked. “I recognize that I need to maintain control, especially as a coach. If I lose control, how can I expect my players to remain composed? It’s an ongoing challenge, and I hope it happens less frequently.”
Inter Miami will host Nashville SC on Wednesday night, aiming for a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. The winner of this matchup will advance to play against the victor of the round of 16 showdown between the Philadelphia Union and Club América.