Club World Cup | Mascherano: Messi is in good shape, but the favorite to win the championship is the European team

Xinhua News Agency, Miami, USA, June 13 (Reporter Zhao Yan) Miami International coach Mascherano said at a press conference before the opening game of the Club World Cup on the 13th that although Messi is in good shape, the favorite to win the championship in this competition should still be the European club.

Mascherano said: "Although this is Miami International playing at home, with the support of local fans, and can rely on Messi, we are not a favorite to win the championship. Just look at the teams participating in the game, it is normal for European teams to win this event with the strength of their players."

On February 2, 2025, Miami International player Messi (left) was in a football friendly match. Photographed by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yongzheng As Messi's former teammate in the Argentina national team, Mascherano said he has recovered well in the near future. "Maybe there were several times when he had to miss the game because of physical discomfort, but he participated in our team's last 15 games; in one of the two matches of the Argentine national team (World-European qualifiers), he got a rest, and we had the highest expectations of him."

Mascherano also regretted that many main players, including defender Alba, were unable to participate due to injury, but he believed that this was also an opportunity for young players. "This gives young players a signal: to do their best, enjoy the game as much as possible, and show their value."

For the opponent in the opening match, Mascherano believes that Egypt's Cairo Nationals is one of the best teams in Africa, but he believes that Miami International will definitely win the first game, "because we also want to advance."

On February 11, 2021, Cairo Nationals won the third place in the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Niku) Cairo National Team head coach Jose Rivero also expressed his views on the popular European team. He said: "European teams bring together top players from all continents, which are undoubtedly higher than those of African and Latin American teams."

Rivero believes that the teams participating in the Club World Cup have gone through a long season, so they must concentrate and give their all. No game is simple. He said: "Our players are all humble, but they also have potential and dream of going to the next level." The match between Miami International and Cairo Nationals will be held at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium on the evening of the 14th local time. Portugal's Porto and Brazil's Palmeiras are also in Group A.