According to reports, Messi has appeared dissatisfied and frustrated in recent Inter Miami matches. Despite a 4-1 home victory against New York Red Bulls, where the Argentine star scored one of his team’s goals, signs of his dissatisfaction were evident after three consecutive defeats in recent weeks.

This negative streak included elimination in the Concacaf Champions League semifinals and a 3-4 loss to FC Dallas, which marked Inter Miami’s first defeat of the current MLS season.

Before Saturday night’s match against Minnesota United, Mascherano spoke about his captain’s mental state. He said: “Leo is a competitive monster. It’s natural. Those of us who have known him for years understand how high his expectations are—both for himself and others.”

Inter Miami currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 21 points, and a win against Minnesota could bring them closer to the top of the table. Mascherano’s coaching tenure at Miami has yielded mixed results so far. In 18 matches, his record stands at 11 wins, three draws, and four losses. Interestingly, three of these four defeats came consecutively, including elimination from the Champions League against Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Argentine coach also hinted at potential squad reinforcements ahead of the Club World Cup, stating: “I think we should focus on signing a player who can truly help the team. Yes, we are evaluating options. We need to improve, especially in the attacking department.”