Lionel Messi is like a “kid playing and doesn’t want to lose”, says Javier Mascherano, with the Argentine GOAT remaining the “soul” of Inter Miami.

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• Herons snatched point in MLS opener
• Captain provided much-needed creativity
• All-time great has lost none of his hunger

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  It appeared as though Messi would suffer a first competitive defeat of 2025 on the opening weekend of MLS action, but he provided two assists as the Herons snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with New York City FC in the 100th minute.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The hosts took an early lead at Chase Stadium, but were reduced to 10 men midway through the first-half when Tomas Aviles saw red. Telasco Segovia rescued a point in the closing stages, with Messi – the reigning MVP of MLS – stepping up to provide much-needed creativity.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mascherano believes the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner offered a bit of everything to the Inter Miami cause against NYCFC, with the evergreen 37-year-old showing no sign of slowing down as he continues to demand the highest standards of himself and those around him.

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  WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

  Mascherano told reporters: “Messi is the soul of this team. You saw this on the pitch. He is a kid playing and he doesn't want to lose. So for us it's a big big advantage. So we just need to keep him with this spirit. Because it's not just what he does on the pitch.

  “It's what he translates to his team-mates and all that he does with his 37 years. He's not just playing in attack, he helps us in defence, running the centre-back, running the whole midfield. So he's magnificent.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News