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Lionel Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match towards Sporting Kansas Metropolis has been referred to as into query following stories of his reluctance to play in excessive chilly climate. Nonetheless, coach Javier Mascherano has addressed these issues, reassuring followers of the star’s participation.
Inter Miami’s preseason has been intense, with the staff touring throughout the American continent and managing Messi’s minutes to stop fatigue. Expectations had been excessive for the season opener within the Champions Cup, one of many staff’s key targets this season.
However rumors started circulating after journalist Franco Pazino reported that Messi was unwilling to play within the harsh chilly anticipated in Kansas Metropolis. Messi’s wrestle with excessive chilly circumstances fueled the hypothesis.
Nonetheless, forward of the match, coach Mascherano was fast to dismiss these rumors when requested about Messi’s presence. “Lionel Messi is offered for tomorrow’s sport. I can guarantee you, he’ll play,” he mentioned, placing to relaxation any doubts concerning the Argentine’s participation.
The climate forecast for the sport, scheduled for 7 p.m., predicts a 70% probability of snow, with temperatures anticipated to be extraordinarily chilly. The minimal temperature will attain -5.8°F (-21°C), and the utmost is predicted to be simply 5°F (-15°C), making it a difficult surroundings for the gamers.
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The primary leg of the Champions Cup between Inter Miami and Sporting KC is scheduled for February 18, with the second leg going down per week in a while February 25. With away targets carrying important weight, Messi’s presence will probably be essential for Inter Miami’s probabilities within the competitors.
Messi’s struggles in chilly climate
Regardless of Mascherano’s assurance, Messi’s previous struggles with chilly climate are properly documented, however this will probably be his first expertise with such excessive circumstances within the U.S.
One of the notable cases occurred in 2021 throughout a 2-1 loss to Actual Madrid whereas Messi was nonetheless at Barcelona. The match, performed in heavy rain with temperatures round 51.8°F (11°C), noticed Messi visibly shivering earlier than the second half. Cameras captured the viral second, and within the 79th minute, Messi requested a change of each of his shirts as a result of chilly.
One other large reference of Messi’s struggles is his present teammate at Inter Miami, Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan striker spoke about him on the 2021 Ballon d’Or gala at Paris, the identical yr he moved to PSG. In an interview with TNT Sports activities, Suarez made a sudden revelation: “He instructed me that he suffers lots taking part in within the chilly and within the snow. He’ll must get used to the chilly right here, for positive.”
