Lionel Messi made an influential return to the Inter Miami range, fixing the two goals in a 2-1 victory on Atlas last night, and then reiterated his need to play to maintain the pace.
Messi was forced to sit on Saturday’s draw with FC Cincinnati after Major League Soccer gave him a suspension of a match for jumping the star match on July 23.
Miami boss Javier Mascherano said before the Atlas faces the silver lining of Messi’s ban was the fact that the 38 -year -old could rest before a busy period, but the eight time the winner of Ballon d’Or, insisted that he was happy to play.
It was obvious because, after a discreet first half for the Argentina superstar, he became the match and provided assists in Telasco Segovia and, in injury, Marcelo Weigandt.
Rest is worse for me – Messi
“The truth is that it was difficult with the heat, and not having played the other day. Even if [the rest] It seems better, for me, it’s worse because I need to compete, “said Messi after the match.” I feel good physically more I play matches and I put in the rhythm.
“The other day, they did not let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won.”
Miami won the inaugural leagues trophy in 2023 under the former coach Gerardo Martino, before falling in the round of 16 in the crew of Columbus last year.
“It’s a great competition for us; The one in which we always compete, “added Messi. “It is an excellent test for us to face the Mexican teams, and the format has changed, so that we can enjoy it and play it. It is a great competition. [The victory] is super important.
“The American teams had not won, and it is important for us to take advantage because we faced ourselves. Although we were playing against the Mexican teams, the table is on our side and we must mark more than the others.”
By Paul Makes debut
The victory provided another demonstration of Messi’s importance for Miami. He has now scored or helped 21 of the last 27 goals from Inter Miami all competitions since May 28.
Part of the charge could be shifted by the arrival of his other winner of the Rodrigo World Cup of Paul, who made his debut after his move from Atletico Madrid.
Mascherano said: “Rodrigo gives us the hierarchy with a player at his peak, a world champion, one of the most important players of the national team who is world champion and who has an important connection with our best player on and off the field.
“We all who had the opportunity to play with Leo, to know Leo, to the players who have this link with him, we must enjoy it. We must enjoy it a lot because they are rare, and these players are chosen.”
Messi should play when Necaxa visits the Chase stadium on Saturday.
