Javier Mascherano believes that the upcoming Membership World Cup is the “most necessary competitors” in Inter Miami’s historical past forward of their first sport towards Al Ahly.
Miami are considered one of three MLS groups, alongside the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC, collaborating within the revamped 32-team match throughout the USA.
The Herons have been positioned in Group A alongside Palmeiras and Porto, and kickstart their group marketing campaign on June 14 towards Egyptian facet Al Ahly.
Mascherano has endured an detached begin to his tenure in Miami, with the membership third within the Jap Convention within the MLS after taking 29 factors from their first 16 matches.
Miami are given a 22.9% probability of reaching the final 16, with Al Ahly (18.3%) solely having a decrease likelihood of progressing from Group A in response to the Opta supercomputer.
And forward of their first sport on the Exhausting Rock Stadium in Florida, Mascherano was adamant that Miami had by no means participated in a much bigger match.
“We’re certainly dealing with crucial competitors within the historical past of our membership. It hasn’t been round for lengthy, however that is the most important match we’ve performed,” Mascherano mentioned.
The world is watching. Hoy juega Miami
Watch free on https://t.co/rU7NMOIoWI pic.twitter.com/HNZSwqF936
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 14, 2025
Mascherano additionally voiced his frustration on the lack of signings after his facet suffered a number of accidents forward of their match opener.
Defenders Jordi Alba and Gonzalo Lujan have been dominated out of the opening match, however star man Lionel Messi ought to be match for the sport.
“We’ve been speaking for 2 months concerning the clear must strengthen the workforce. Everybody must take accountability,” Mascherano added.
“We now have excessive hopes with Leo within the squad. As we all the time say, the objective is to help him, to create an surroundings the place he feels snug and may do what he all the time does.”
“The truth is that all through the season, the workforce have handled accidents, however the gamers who stepped in rose to the problem. That offers us peace of thoughts.”
Messi isn’t any stranger to the CWC, having gained it 3 times with Barcelona (2009, 2011, 2015), and might be hoping to steer the cost for Miami within the competitors.
The Argentine can even be enjoying in his fourth CWC. He gained the trophy in all three of his earlier participations, scoring 5 objectives in as many matches with Barca.
Miami even have a number of skilled gamers of their squad, with Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets all lifting the title throughout their time with the Blaugrana.
And Mascherano believes the expertise of these gamers might be invaluable on this competitors.
“We’re lucky to have a number of gamers who’ve competed in tournaments like this, not simply on the membership stage, but additionally with their nationwide groups,” mentioned Mascherano.
