Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano praised Lionel Messi for his crucial role in the team’s 3-1 comeback win over LAFC in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.

Messi’s decisive goal helped secure the victory, propelling the team to the semifinals.

Despite LAFC entering the match with a 1-0 advantage and scoring first in the ninth minute, Messi and defender Noah Allen responded with goals that sealed the comeback.

"Messi is the heart of this team. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to talk about him because I've known him for 20 years, and now I’m here to assist him in this stage of his career," said Mascherano after the match. "He has everything in football. He’s the greatest in history and continues to lead new generations, even after winning everything."

Mascherano continued, emphasizing Messi's unrelenting desire to win. "He will do anything to win. Football is about willpower, but also ability—and he has that ability because he’s the greatest."

Messi’s leadership extended beyond his on-field brilliance. Teammate Luis Suárez shared that Messi urged the players to stay calm and focused, even after LAFC’s early goal. "Leo told us that even if they scored, we needed to stay composed," Suárez said. "We needed to score three goals, and with our experience and quality, we did it."

In the 84th minute, Messi converted a penalty to secure Miami’s place in the tournament semifinals, a significant achievement after their quarterfinal exit last year against CF Monterrey.

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo acknowledged Messi's influence, noting, "You’re talking about one of the greatest. In the second half, we gave him too much freedom, and he made us pay."

Inter Miami will now face Pumas UNAM in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

Source: online 

BDST: 1235 HRS, APR 10, 2025
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