Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has called on his players to embrace the club’s “historic” opportunity as they prepare for a crucial Club World Cup showdown with Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Monday.
Miami’s surprise victory over Porto, sealed by a trademark free kick from Lionel Messi, has left the MLS side on the brink of reaching the last 16. A draw would be enough to secure their progression, but Mascherano urged his team not to play with caution.
“We’re facing possibly one of the most important games in the history of our club,” said the Argentine coach. “That should fill us with excitement, not pressure. It’s a challenge for this group of players who have done very well so far.”
Mascherano stressed that focusing too heavily on the outcome could backfire. “If you go into a match just thinking about the result, events during the game can quickly get out of hand,” he warned. “Our approach is always to try and win—whether it’s the Club World Cup, MLS, Champions League, or any competition we play in.”
Despite their recent success, Mascherano was quick to acknowledge the threat posed by Palmeiras and warned against any recklessness. “We want to win with a plan. We won’t lose our heads. We need to limit Palmeiras’ strengths and look for opportunities to exploit their weaknesses.”
Inter Miami may receive a boost from the return of experienced full-back Jordi Alba, who is close to full fitness after a recent injury. Alba missed the draw with Al Ahly but made a late substitute appearance in the win over Porto.
“Physically, I feel good,” said Alba. “I was out for three weeks, but with the international break, I didn’t miss much. Now we’ll see what the coach decides.”
The Spanish defender believes that facing top-level competition is helping the team grow. “Playing against elite teams only sharpens us,” he said. “If we reach the knockout rounds, just imagine how high our ceiling could be. I believe we’re doing things the right way.”
Founded only five years ago, Inter Miami now stands on the verge of a major milestone in its brief history.
