Mascherano on why Messi skipped Argentina but played for Inter Miami | OneFootball

It was surprising last Friday to see Lionel Messi drinking mate in the box at the Hard Rock Stadium instead of weaving through defenders on the field wearing Argentina’s No. 10 jersey in the friendly against Venezuela. His absence wasn’t due to an injury, as on Saturday he started for Inter Miami and shone with two goals and an assist in their 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United.

The decision for him not to play in the first preparatory match of the FIFA date (1-0, goal by Giovani Lo Celso) but to play for the Herons was made after a conversation between Lionel Scaloni and Javier Mascherano, who provided details: “It’s quite simple: yesterday before Argentina’s match I spoke with him and he told me he wasn’t going to use him, he was going to release him.”

With the approval of the Albiceleste coach, the “Jefecito” then consulted the Rosario star, and he also gave the green light: “I spoke with Leo so he could play today (meaning yesterday) and that’s all there is to it. Yesterday the coach had no intention of playing him because he wanted to see other things, as he said.”

He continued: “It was his decision and clearly we saw the opportunity that, since he wasn’t playing yesterday against Venezuela, we could use him. Leo was also willing to do it, even after training all week with the national team. He’s a truly special player, he’s unique, and even though he hadn’t trained with us, we saw what he did today. He helped us win, he managed to score, which was important for him. With Leo, everything is easier.”

After “thanking everyone involved” for being able to count on him, Mascherano was asked whether Messi would rejoin the national team or stay in Fort Lauderdale: “I have no idea because the match just ended, we have Sunday and Monday off, so I haven’t spoken to the national team coach or anyone yet. If he gets in touch with us or the Federation, we’ll see.”

As for whether Messi will have a special preparation to be in top condition for the 2026 World Cup, the coach said: “Next year feels very far away. Taking care of Leo means letting him play, he’s happy on the pitch. We try to talk with him all the time. During the season, when he’s had situations where he didn’t feel well, we’ve tried to protect him. There’s no point in having the best player in the history of this sport sidelined by injury.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.