A setback that redefines the path
For Lionel Messi, the elimination of Inter Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup was an unexpected blow. However, that blow could have a positive side for what would be his last World Cup.
The load of matches is drastically reduced for a striker who will turn 39 in the middle of the tournament. And that, deep down, is a variable that your body will appreciate.
Mascherano’s plan: play, but with head
Are they going to give the star a rest? Coach Javier Mascherano’s response is clear. No, but with impeccable logic.
“We don’t have many midweek games for the next two months. There are only two or three weeks where we are going to have midweek games, the rest will be one game per week,” said the coach.
His philosophy is simple: Messi needs to roll. Inactivity is not your ally.
“We understand that he is entering a period that is practically a final stretch. But we know him and we make consensual decisions based on his sensations and how he is feeling,” he remarked.
It is a constant dialogue. There are no decrees from the bench, there are conversations with the most experienced player on the planet.
The countdown has already started
There are less than two and a half months left until Argentina’s debut in the World Cup, on June 16 against Algeria. Eight days later, Leo has his birthday.
Messi traveled to Buenos Aires to join the world champion team. There they will have two tests against Mauritania and Zambia in La Bombonera.
There will be expectation for every gesture, for every word. The captain still does not confirm one hundred percent his presence in his sixth World Cup, warning that he will decide day by day, measuring his physique.
But this new scenario – without races during the week – gives him oxygen. It allows you to focus on the MLS and getting to the big event.
“We try to take care of him as much as possible. We know that where he feels most comfortable is playing and also what is best for his physique,” added Mascherano.
The final balance
Sometimes a setback forces you to rearrange your priorities. For Inter Miami it was a hard blow to lose a title they wanted. For Messi and Argentina, it may be an opportunity in disguise.
Less wear, more focus on what is essential. The body has an implacable memory, and at 39 years old, every detail counts.
Mascherano sums it up better than anyone:
“He is an important player. Clearly without him it is impossible for us to achieve the objectives we have set.”
The mission is clear: take it to the World Cup in the best conditions. And now, the path seems a little clearer.
