Alba returning, Messi fit as Miami faces Porto

Inter Miami CF caput manager Javier Mascherano said Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi volition some beryllium disposable for enactment time successful the team's 2nd Club World Cup radical signifier lucifer against FC Porto astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium successful Atlanta.

Alba returns to the squad astir 3 weeks aft suffering a hamstring wounded connected May 28 successful an MLS lucifer against Montreal. He came disconnected the transportation successful the 24th minute, watching Inter Miami from the sidelines for the past fewer weeks earlier yet joining the squad for grooming earlier this week.

"The lone 1 who volition beryllium disposable for america that wasn't successful the past lucifer is Jordi Alba," said Mascherano. "The remainder are inactive not available. Jordi, today, 3 weeks agone suffered a hamstring wounded truthful we volition measure what is amended if helium starts oregon comes connected arsenic a substitute. We know, but I won't archer you."

Mascherano said that Messi trained good aft the inaugural Club World Cup lucifer against Al Ahly, which finished 0-0, and volition diagnostic connected Thursday, earlier adding that Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Luján and David Ruiz stay out.

Despite the litany of injuries, Mascherano hopes to beryllium that the nine tin vie adjacent with the European sides astatine the tournament.

"The world is that we're focused connected tomorrow's match," Mascherano said. "It's a lucifer that each subordinate connected our squad wants to play due to the fact that you're facing and investigating yourself against an hostile that plays successful Europe, plays successful the Champions League, that plays successful important competitions.

"Well, we're doing it with the anticipation of being capable to beryllium what we're truly worth, too."

Mascherano cited the results of South American teams and the 1-1 gully betwixt Inter Milan and Monterrey connected Tuesday arsenic inspiration and impervious immoderate squad tin get results successful the competition.

"Except for 2 oregon 3 games, similar Paris [Saint-Germain] vs. Atlético [de Madrid] and Bayern [Munich] vs. Auckland City, the remainder are precise adjacent matches," Mascherano said. "We adjacent saw it yesterday successful Dortmund's lucifer against Fluminense. I mean, possibly determination was a batch of anticipation that determination would beryllium a large quality betwixt the European teams, and I'm not adjacent talking astir the South American ones, due to the fact that yesterday Monterrey played a very, precise bully crippled against Inter Milan, the European runner-up.

"I mean, I deliberation that shows us, possibly to teams that aren't utilized to competing astatine this level and successful this benignant of title that shot is 11 against 11 and there's 1 ball, and erstwhile you person enthusiasm, determination, desire, and assurance successful what you do, you tin vie against opponents astatine the highest level.

"Well, it's 1 much illustration to spell to this lucifer time and spot successful what we bash and supra each to beryllium ourselves. I deliberation that's what athletics is about."

Real Madrid's 1-1 gully with Al Hilal connected Wednesday day astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami added immoderate credence to Mascherano's sentiment.

After the lucifer with Porto connected Thursday, Miami concludes the radical signifier of the tourney against Palmeiras connected Monday successful Miami.