Javier Mascherano admits Lionel Messi can leave him “feeling uncomfortable” with the Inter Miami boss having to coach the Argentine icon after once being his team-mate. Mascherano sat back and saw Messi lead their comeback against LAFC as they advanced from their Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-final clash.
Messi came up with the decisive goal as Inter overcame a 1-0 first-leg deficit to down their MLS rivals. The World Cup winner scored from the spot – his second goal of the game – with less than 10 minutes remaining after the Florida outfit had conceded the opener to leave them trailing 2-0 on aggregate before they scored three unanswered goals.
The Argentine has helped David Beckham‘s franchise reach new heights since quitting Europe to see out his career across the Atlantic. Mascherano is now the manager reaping the benefits, but won’t be shocked by the quality he sees. The two Argentines were international team-mates but Mascherano also moved to Barcelona in 2010 and played alongside Messi as they won the Champions League under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.
The ex-Liverpool man is now having to try and give Messi pointers as his manager and has guided Inter further than they went 12 months ago, where they lost to CF Monterrey in the last eight. Inter will now enjoy a first ever semi-final appearance in the competition
He said: “Messi is the soul of this team. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I’ve known him for 20 years now, and I have to help him in this stage of his career. He’s a guy who has everything in football. He’s the greatest in history, and he’s still making the path and guiding the new generations beyond having won everything until the last day he plays on the pitch.
“He wants to win and will do the impossible. Football is just about wanting, but you have to be able. And he has that ability because he is the greatest of all.”
Inter have built an impressive squad, signing several star players in the twilights years of their careers. They still have plenty to offer though, Luis Suarez among them with the Uruguayan teaming up with Messi once again as he continues to back the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Leo told us during the game, and Jordi told us that even if the other team scored, we needed to remain calm,” Suarez said. “The possibilities would be the same, we needed to score three goals to win. With the experience, hierarchy and players that we have, we did it.”
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