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Lionel Messi’s magic lit up the night in Inter Miami’s Club World Cup win over FC Porto, but it turns out he wasn’t at full strength.
The Argentine scored a stunning free-kick to help his side edge FC Porto 2-1, but his performance came with a twist — one that his coach revealed only after the final whistle.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Messi played the match while carrying a quadriceps injury.
The news surprised many, especially since Messi showed no signs of slowing down during the game. His brilliance on the ball and his game-winning moment masked what was happening behind the scenes.
With Miami chasing their first Club World Cup win, Messi didn’t just turn up — he powered through pain to do it.
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What Mascherano said about injured Lionel Messi after Porto win?
Following the victory, Mascherano shared some insight into Messi’s fitness and mindset. “Leo Messi played whilst injured, with the pain he had in his quadriceps and how he kept running is crazy. His presence was not guaranteed before the game,” he said.
The former Barcelona midfielder, now managing Inter Miami, praised Messi’s mentality and commitment. “He's the player who shows us how to compete. His hunger and desire to keep performing — at any level — guides us and shows us the path we need to follow.”
For fans, it was yet another reminder that Messi’s story is far from over. Even with a long list of trophies, including eight Ballon d’Ors and a World Cup, the 37-year-old remains driven — and still clutch in key moments.
The win over Porto puts Inter Miami in a strong spot in the group stage, and with Messi leading the way (bad leg or not), the dream of Club World Cup glory is very much alive.
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Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
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