Messi trained as usual, Mascherano confirms ahead of Charlotte clash | OneFootball

Lionel Messi's decision not to travel with the Argentina National Team to Ecuador in order to rest and physically recover was celebrated at Inter Miami, which has a key match on Saturday against Charlotte, in the MLS. Thus, the coach of Las Garzas, Javier Mascherano, assured that La Pulga trained normally and will be part of the weekend's game.

"Leo is fine. Luckily we had the possibility that both he and (Lionel) Scaloni agreed not to travel to Ecuador and could rest after several matches, especially after the injury he had. He was able to train all week with us in the best way, he will be ready for tomorrow," said El Jefecito, speaking to the press after the team's last practice.

After what was Messi's last World Cup qualifying match in the country - a 3-0 against Venezuela -, La Pulga confirmed that he would not travel to Ecuador for the last match on the road to the next World Cup. "I spoke with Leo, he decided to rest. I'm coming from an injury. Even though I'm fine now, we prefer to avoid him traveling and having to play another match, to prepare for what's coming, which is important. We're playing for the MLS, it's a goal. I had the injury that kept me stopped for 15 days, it cut my rhythm and I didn't feel comfortable again... I hope to finish the year well to then start the preseason well," said the captain of the Albiceleste, after the match against La Vinotinto.

The truth is that the muscle injury Messi suffered in early August against Necaxa had him struggling all month. Thus, the Rosario native decided to prioritize his recovery, focusing on closing the season with the Fort Lauderdale team.

Meanwhile, Mascherano also referred to the strong sanction Luis Suarez received for his aggression towards a Seattle Sounders assistant in the Leagues Cup final. The Uruguayan was not only suspended for six matches in that competition, but the MLS also applied a suspension of three more matches.

Thus, the coach avoided controversy and tried to put an end to the matter: "We accept the decision that MLS has made. The club has already publicly expressed its opinion about the decision and so has Luis. What we had to talk about, we talked about in private and we put an end to that issue, even though none of us liked how the match against Seattle ended."

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