Inter Miami 'want to be the protagonist' in Vancouver semifinal says Mascherano

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM INTER MIAMI MANAGER JAVIER MASCHERANO AND FORWARD FAFA PICAULT, AHEAD OF THE FIRST LEG OF THEIR CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINAL AWAY TO THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: VANCOUVER, CANADA (APRIL 23, 2025) (CONCACAF - See restrictions before use)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTER MIAMI MANAGER JAVIER MASCHERANO, ON CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP MATCH AGAINST THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS, SAYING:

“Maybe one of the most important game for the history of the club. So we are ready. We are waiting for this game. I don't like to talk before the game about who is available and who doesn't. So tomorrow you will see. Tomorrow we will see.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTER MIAMI MANAGER JAVIER MASCHERANO, SAYING:

“I was watching them and they play really well. They have very, very good players in front. They have very good wingers, strikers, good midfielders. They play together, scoring a lot of goals. They didn't concede too many goals. So I think tomorrow is a game that you maybe you can find two teams that they are in good positions and in a good moment both. So hopefully or I expect my team to, to have a good game trying to, to win, trying to to stop them in attack because they are very dangerous in attack but also we we want to have the ball. We want to be protagonist you know in the game. For me at the end it is not a surprise. They are really very good team with obviously a good coach. That have a lot of experience in Europe. So we will see.”

4. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTER MIAMI FORWARD FAFA PICAULT, ON PLAYING UNDER JAVIER MASCHERANO, SAYING:

“It's amazing. I grew up watching him and obviously even on the ride here hearing some things about the resume in and just little things about of of the life of his career is it's impressive and it's awesome to to get to work under him every day and just continue to learn and just do my best to be available and be the best player I can be for him.”

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTER MIAMI FORWARD FAFA PICAULT, ON PLAYING WITH LIONEL MESSI AND INTRODUCING HIM TO VANCOUVER (PICAULT PLAYED FOR WHITECAPS IN 2024), SAYING:

“I think it's an honor to be able to play with the best player in the world. That's for starters. I think we're more focused on the game than the city. But a lot of guys did ask questions in general about living here. Obviously, when you land in Vancouver, you see the beauty of the city and all the nature. So I told him a lot of stuff about living here and all my great experiences and the great time I've had here. So they only have positive images from my end and I think they're on their own just learning and seeing the city itself.”

STORY: The stage is set for what Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano described on Wednesday (April 23) as the most important game in the club’s history.

Speaking ahead of the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps scheduled for Thursday (April 24), Mascherano said his team wants to be the "protagonist" against a side he called "very strong."

"I don't like to talk before the game about who is available and who doesn't. So tomorrow you will see. Tomorrow we will see", said the former Barcelona star.

As two of the top teams in MLS this season, Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps are set for a thrilling showdown. The second leg of the semifinals will be held on April 30, with the winner booking a spot in the final on June 1, 2025.

(Production: Revathi Hariharan)