""Weekend after weekend, he is incredible," Mascherano said of Messi. "We know how incredible he is with a ball, but he's the first man to do the pressure, directing the team. "It's a privilege to coach Leo. He's leading the team in defense, pressing high, so when the team-mates see Leo in this way, it's impossible [not to] follow him. It's unbelievable.""
""We will concentrate and understand that we haven't gotten anywhere," he added. "We are in the position that we wanted, but being so close, it's not worth distracting ourselves with other things.""
Inter Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference finals after a 4-0 semifinal victory over FC Cincinnati in which Lionel Messi scored once and provided three assists. Messi has 12 goal involvements (six goals, six assists) in the MLS Cup playoffs, the most in playoff history, and leads MLS this season with 35 goals and 26 assists. Inter Miami previously won the Supporters' Shield but exited in the first playoff round last season and now targets the MLS Cup. New York City FC will be the next opponent, and Javier Mascherano emphasized leadership, pressing and the need to remain focused.
Read at Soccer News
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