Argentine Javier Mascherano, coach of Inter Miami, stated this Friday that Lionel Messi “is fine, he trained all week with the group” and that he is therefore prepared for the Florida team's debut in the new MLS season against Los Angeles FC.

“Leo is fine, I have trained all week with the "The group has done well, they've had good feelings, so they're arriving in good shape, prepared like the rest of the team," Mascherano stated at a press conference.

Messi suffered a hamstring strain in his left leg during a recent match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador.

The Argentine star scored 29 goals and provided 19 assists last season, in which Inter Miami won the MLS title.

"LAFC is a team that, if you let them play, will hurt you a lot. They're a team that looks very strong from the start; it happened to us last year here as well. We're prepared," Mascherano said, analyzing their opponent.

The Argentine coach expressed his complete confidence in his team.

"We respect our opponent, their pedigree, but we focus on our players. They're a good team, but so are we; we're the champions of this league," he emphasized.

He also shared an anecdote Regarding his possible move to MLS as a player: “I was an Inter Miami player for a few hours and then I didn't end up playing. Now that I know MLS much better, I realize it's a very competitive, very good, very exciting league. It has far exceeded my expectations, and both my coaching staff and I feel very comfortable here,” he said.