Javier Mascherano Roars Back at Inter Miami's 'Worst Team' Tag In Club World Cup

Ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, teams outside of Europe and South America were not favored to make a significant impact in the tournament.

Teams from the CONCACAF (North American region) were also viewed by many soccer fans as 'weaker teams' within different groups. Only three MLS teams have played in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, and LAFC.

Out of the three, Inter Miami was deemed the 'weakest' of the MLS teams and labeled by some as one of the worst teams in the competition this summer. 

After the 2-2 draw against Palmeiras and securing a place in the knockout stages, Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano made sure to remind the doubters about the labels the team was receiving. 

Inter Miami qualifying for the last 16 of the competition is a huge achievement, and Mascherano made sure to express it in the post-match press conference.

Mascherano’s Message to the Doubters

After the match between Inter Miami and Palmeiras, Mascherano spoke highly about his team and made a bold claim that made the Herons' fans proud of their team's achievement.

Javier Mascherano: "Before the tournament started, we were the underdog, the worst team, but with hard work, organization, and playing football, we deserved to qualify for the round of 16. Say what you want, we are among the best teams in the world now.”

Mascherano went on to say that Inter Miami's qualification to the Round of 16 is a win for the MLS and that the league should be proud of them. Seattle Sounders and LAFC have been eliminated in the group stage.

The Seattle Sounders lost all three group stage matches in Group B, and LAFC lost two games in Group D.

Javier Mascherano: "I appreciate the team, the guys, all the players because they gave more than 100%. It’s a historic night for MLS because we are into the best 16 teams in the world. So the whole MLS has to be proud of Inter Miami."

Javier Mascherano on PSG 

Ahead of the match on Sunday against PSG, Mascherano recognized the difficult challenge that awaits them in the Round of 16. The Club World Cup has brought a couple of surprises, and Inter Miami believes in bringing another one.

PSG finished first in Group B with two wins and one loss. The current Champions League holders were surprised by the current Copa Libertadores holders, Botafogo.

PSG started their Club World Cup campaign with a 4-0 win against Atlético Madrid. They then suffered a 1-0 loss against Botafogo and finished the group stage with a 2-0 win against MLS side Seattle Sounders.