Old friends showdown! Mascherano and Necasa coach Gago have been teammates of the national team for many years

Hupu August 2nd: Miami International defeated the Mexican team Atlas 2-1 in the last minute in the first round of the North American League Cup, and Miami's second-round opponent Necasa is special for Messi and Mascherano, because the opponent's coach is their long-time friend and national teammate Gago. Mascherano said: "Gago is my old friend for many years. We have worked with the national team for many years."

"I have feelings for him, and we have also shared many things outside of football. It is always special to confront people who have known and shared many wonderful moments," Mascherano added. But he later said that when the game starts, they will do everything possible to compete at their best and strive for victory to retain hope of advancement.

Gago, Mascherano and Messi have been teammates in the Argentina national team for many years, and these three are regular visitors to the national team in different cycles. The last time the three of them appeared on the court in the national team jerseys was in the qualifiers in October 2017, when the team's coach was San Pauli, and Argentina drew 0-0 with Peru at the Candy Box Stadium. In that game, Gago was only three minutes after making a substitute and suffered a serious injury from a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee.

Speaking of the upcoming game and the style of the opponent's game, Mascherano said: "It will be a tough game. We know that the teams Fernando coaches usually like to control the game and are very offensive. Although he doesn't coach for a long time, we have to be fully prepared, especially limiting their offense and trying to create opportunities to win."

On the other hand, Gago also talked about this game, especially his feelings against Messi: "I have known Messi for more than 15 years, I know him very well, we have a very good relationship and communicate frequently, and it will be a good game to be able to compete with the best players. We need to find ways to control the game, and be clear where they can threaten us and where we can threaten them. On this basis, we have to play a great game," Gago concluded.