'It was something minor' - Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano downplays Lionel Messi's visible discomfort in match vs. LA Galaxy

Lionel Messi sparked concern at the end of Inter Miami’s match against LA Galaxy, as he was seen touching his leg and didn’t look fully fit. After the game, head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the situation in his press conference.

“He wasn’t 100 percent comfortable. Tomorrow we’ll see how he feels. As the minutes went by he loosened up a bit, but we need to evaluate his fatigue. It was something minor - during the last three training sessions I saw him improving - but the key is how he wakes up and how he feels day by day," Mascherano said. 

Messi played the second half at Chase Stadium after missing two games due to a muscle injury. The former Barcelona star scored the 2-1 winner and delivered a brilliant assist to Luis Suárez for the 3-1 goal. Mascherano also highlighted Messi’s relentless competitiveness.

“He wants to play every match. He wanted to be on the field in Orlando. You have to understand: Leo is Leo - he always wants to be out there. That’s where he’s happiest. We need to tell him to slow down, but he knows his body better than anyone. In the end, we tried to give him minutes so he could start feeling better ahead of Wednesday’s game," he said. 

As for the victory over Galaxy, the coach stressed its importance with Tigres looming in the Leagues Cup. 

“The previous loss was an accident. If we want to compete until the end, we know details are vital," he said. "Last match, we were down a goal within 90 seconds, and today in 45 minutes, they didn’t have a single shot on target. We have to prepare for what’s coming, and play every game as if it were a final."

Messi has reached 875 career goals, achieving the milestone in 1,116 matches - the youngest player ever to do so.

The Herons will host Tigres next Wednesday in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.