The historic high from Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Porto — the first official win by a CONCACAF team over a European side in the FIFA Club World Cup — is already behind them. Now, the team led by Javier Mascherano shifts its focus to the final group-stage showdown against Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, aiming to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
While the fitness of Lionel Messi continues to be a topic of discussion, Mascherano reassured fans following the win against Porto: “He’s got some discomfort in his quadriceps, but he’s still running… That’s what makes him the greatest of all time — he’s different,“ the coach said in the post-match press conference.
Messi looked sharp and cheerful during the final training session before the Palmeiras clash. He was fully involved — even showing frustration when he lost a rondo drill — and shared laughs with Mascherano, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez. All signs point to the Argentine legend starting once again.
Jordi Alba’s return: A key piece in Inter Miami’s puzzle
One of the most important developments for Inter Miami came in the form of Jordi Alba’s return. After being sidelined with a muscle injury suffered during the May 28 match against CF Montréal, the veteran left-back made a brief but solid comeback against Porto, logging 11 minutes. Now, he’s expected to start against Palmeiras and bring his signature chemistry with Messi to the field.
“It’s been nearly three weeks out. It’s tougher when you come off the bench instead of starting, especially in such a high-intensity match,” Alba shared ahead of training. “I’m happy to be back and ready to help the team however I can. We played an excellent game against a tough opponent.”
Defensive Woes and Squad Updates
Mascherano is facing challenges in rebuilding his backline. Gonzalo Luján remains out due to a lingering muscle injury, and Ian Fray is now sidelined after suffering an adductor strain during the win over Porto. Meanwhile, midfielders Yannick Bright and David Ruiz continue working separately with the fitness staff and will miss the final group match.
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With Alba back and the team showing signs of growth, Inter Miami will look to capitalize and finish the group strong — all while counting on the experience and leadership of the Catalan fullback in this pivotal match.
