Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made it clear that Lionel Messi’s absence on the pitch is always noticeable, emphasizing that any team in the world would feel the impact of not having the Argentine star available.

“Any team in the world that has Leo will feel it when he’s not on the pitch. He is the best player in the history of this sport—it would be ridiculous to think his absence isn’t felt.”

Messi was substituted in the 69th minute during the Concacaf Champions Cup match against Sporting Kansas City, but his impact in the series was undeniable. Inter Miami advanced with a 4-1 aggregate score, with Messi scoring in both legs.

Messi Is Fit and Ready for the Next Match

Despite being subbed off early, Mascherano reassured fans that there is no concern regarding Messi’s fitness.

"Leo is fine, he's feeling normal and will train as usual with his teammates," Mascherano confirmed.

Inter Miami is now focused on Matchday 2 of the MLS season, where they will face Houston Dynamo this Sunday after a 2-2 draw against New York City in their season opener.

Mascherano Analyzes Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo will be a tough opponent, and Mascherano acknowledged that Miami must stay focused to avoid any surprises.

"They are a team that knows exactly what they are doing. We expect a difficult opponent, so we need to stay compact, intense, and focused to prevent them from creating too many problems for us."

With Messi as their main leader, Inter Miami will look for their first league victory, following an opener where the Argentine provided a crucial assist in their comeback draw against NYCFC.

As Inter Miami competes in four different tournaments this season (MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and Club World Cup), managing Messi’s minutes will be crucial to keeping him in top shape for the club’s demanding schedule.