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**Messi Magic Helps Inter Miami Overcome Injury Crisis in Win Against Montreal**

**FORT LAUDERDALE, FL** – Inter Miami CF battled through a night of adversity, overcoming three first-half injuries to secure a 4-2 victory over CF Montreal at Chase Stadium on Wednesday. While the win was welcome, the injury toll leaves Head Coach Javier Mascherano with concerns as his team prepares for a quick turnaround against the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

The game was marked by early exits for defenders Gonzalo Luján and Jordi Alba, both suffering muscular injuries. Luján’s replacement, Tomás Avilés, then suffered an ankle injury, forcing Mascherano to burn through his substitutions early. “It is unusual to have to use our windows so fast because of the injuries,” Mascherano said after the match. “This shows that the team is united and they want to get out of this situation.”

The coach was unsure of the severity of the injuries, stating that further assessment would be conducted in the coming days. With Luján and Alba now doubtful for the upcoming game against the Columbus Crew, Miami’s already thin squad is stretched further. Yannick Bright, David Ruiz, Drake Callender, and Baltasar Rodríguez were unavailable for Montreal, further exacerbating the situation.

Despite the setbacks, the game wasn’t without its highlights. Notably, Lionel Messi provided an assist to Luis Suárez for what was reported to be Suárez’s 500th career goal, showcasing the enduring connection between the two Barcelona legends.

Mascherano has previously expressed concerns about the squad’s depth, revealing he has provided the club with a list of positions needing reinforcement, particularly ahead of the Club World Cup in June. “I told the club what positions needed reinforcement,” Mascherano stated. “I told them where the team needs to add depth, especially because we recently sold Robert Taylor, Julian Gressel, and we have a relatively short roster.”

According to ESPN sources, Inter Miami has expressed interest in signing Club América winger Brian Rodríguez, potentially addressing the need for increased squad depth. The team will hope for positive news on the injury front as they prepare to face the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

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