Mascherano: Messi not 100% comfortable but 'wants to play every game'

Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi "wants to play every match" but noted he was not 100% comfortable after coming off the bench to help Inter Miami beat the LA Galaxy.

Messi had missed Miami's 4-1 loss to Orlando City in MLS last weekend with a minor hamstring injury but was fit enough to play the second half of their 3-1 victory over the Galaxy.

And he had a telling impact, scoring in the 84th minute to put Miami back in front after Joseph Paintsil had cancelled out Jordi Alba's opener, before setting up Luis Suarez for another late goal with a wonderful backheel.

Messi has now netted 875 career goals, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat, and he has 19 for the season in MLS, sitting top of the scoring charts.

"The idea was to give him 45 minutes so he could start finding sensations," Mascherano said.

"Clearly, he wasn't 100% comfortable, but as the minutes went on, he loosened up more. The important thing is he finished the game, and now we'll see how he feels.

"He wants to play every single game. You have to understand why Leo is Leo. He always wants to be on the pitch. He's happy there.

"Sometimes we try to explain to him that we have to go slowly, but when he feels good, he knows himself like no one.

"In the end, we tried to give him some minutes today to start having good feelings for Wednesday."

Miami currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference on 45 points, seven points behind leaders FC Cincinnati with three games in hand.

The Herons won the Supporters' Shield last term after a record-breaking season, and Mascherano has his eye on top spot once again if they can finish the season strongly.

"This victory was vital," Mascherano added. "Every game from now until the end of the season is a final.

"If we want to achieve important things, we can't hand matches to our opponents."

Miami are in Leagues Cup action on Wednesday, as they face Mexican side Tigres UANL in the quarter-finals.