Inter Miami CF’s FIFA Club World Cup™ hopes were hanging by a thread when they emerged for the second half of their critical clash with FC Porto.
One goal behind against a classy, well-organised opponent, they had it all to do. The man wearing Miami’s captain’s armband, though, has routinely delivered at clutch moments through his glittering career.
Lionel Messi would do so again. After Telasco Segovia pulled the Herons level, Messi and Miami sensed blood. The Argentinian led the charge as they poured forward at will, a passage of play which ended in unforgettable fashion when he curled home a sumptuous free-kick.
Messi’s spellbinding quality, of course, is well documented. Coach Javier Mascherano, however, was eager to pay fresh tribute to his inspirational leadership and powers of resilience.
“He’s a player who shows us how to compete, his hunger, his desire to continue competing,” he said. “Even in the last minutes, tired, with a knock, he kept helping the team in any way he could – in attack and in defence – to get the result. He’s the one who pulls us forward. We know having him gives us an advantage, but above all (he helps us) through his contagious spirit, the winning spirit that he has.”
Miami defender Ian Fray expanded on the effect Messi’s enduring competitive instincts have in the dressing room.
“He gets the team motivated before every game,” the 22-year-old said. “Bigger than anything, you see how he goes out there and competes, the passion he has, and you want to be like that as well. Before the tournament, he told us to be confident. He told us, ‘Go out there and be yourself – just show yourself.’ He’s also a super humble guy. You can always go up to him and ask him questions.”
Miami full-back Marcelo Weigandt described Messi as an “incredible” captain.
“Leo is a great person, which is the most important thing in this world of football,” he added. “And then what he does on the pitch is extraordinary.”
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Miami coach Mascherano played with Messi for 13 years with Argentina, and eight with Barcelona. When asked how the No10 has developed as a captain since they were team-mates, he said: “Leo is a big leader. But he was always like this, back when he was 23, 24, as well as now.
“Maybe when you grow up, you show a little bit more than when you are young. But he is always supporting his team-mates, trying to help them, and the rest try to follow. That’s the idea. When you have a player like him, you have to follow him.”
