Argentine coach Javier Mascherano of Inter Miami spoke this Tuesday about the big challenge his team faces this Wednesday, the second leg of the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League against Los Angeles FC, after losing 0-1 in the first leg. For Mascherano, high-stakes matches like this are exactly what motivates Leo Messi the most, who, according to him, always gives his best in such situations.

Leo Messi’s Motivation

“For great players like him, this kind of match is an extra motivation. You know that everyone will be paying attention to this match. Knowing him, this is clearly what motivates him the most,” said Mascherano in the press conference ahead of the game. This statement reflects the importance of crucial matches for Messi, who has been the driving force for Inter Miami in recent weeks, and is considered one of the biggest threats for Los Angeles FC.

The Ideal Scenario for a Great Player

Inter Miami needs a comeback at home to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, and for Mascherano, the best scenario for Messi is to be the protagonist. “We’ve seen it, in the last few games he’s been decisive for the team, and we will keep looking for that because we know that when he’s more involved in the game, we are better,” commented the Argentine coach.

The former player also reflected on how he used to experience these kinds of matches when he was still playing professionally. “When I was a footballer, what gave meaning to this profession were games like tomorrow’s. As a coach, it’s easier to play matches like tomorrow’s than others, because there’s not much else to motivate, the scenario itself is a huge motivation,” explained Mascherano.

The Importance of This Match for the Club

For the coach, these types of matchups aren’t just a source of motivation, but represent a great opportunity for Inter Miami. “I try to convey to the players that, beyond the pressure, this is the most beautiful thing football has: playing these types of matches. Advancing in this round would be a historic achievement for this club,” he emphasized.

Mascherano also stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and approaching this challenge with excitement, rather than pressure. “If it’s us, playing a great game defensively and offensively. There’s no better setting to have a perfect match than tomorrow night,” he added.

Not the Most Important Match of His Career

Despite the importance of this match, Mascherano denied that it is the most important match of his coaching career. “I’ve coached the Argentine national team in the Olympics and World Cups, even though it was the youth team. For us, our country matters more, in the end, it doesn’t really matter. I will be the one responsible for what happens tomorrow,” concluded the coach of Inter Miami.

With such a significant stage and Messi’s presence on the field, Inter Miami has the opportunity to make history in the CONCACAF Champions League, and the motivation of their players, led by Leo Messi, will be key for the comeback at home against Los Angeles FC