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Javier Mascherano expecting an international tournament feel to the FIFA Club World Cup
Javier Mascherano is beaming with pride over the prospect of leading Inter Milan into the FIFA Club World Cup this weekend.
As hosts, the MLS side will kick the tournament off on Saturday, when they take on Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona star is no stranger to summer tournaments, having played in three World Cups for Argentina during his illustrious playing career.
Now, in his role as coach, Mascherano is expecting the same kind of vibe at the Club World Cup and can't wait for the competition to begin.
Telling DAZN, "It's a privilege that in the present day I can coach a team that's going to take part in a competition as important as the FIFA Club World Cup, and that's a responsibility.
"I think it's going to be similar to what a FIFA World Cup might be like, with different cultures, different languages, but a bit more passion.
"Because when it comes down to it, usually football fans are first and foremost fans of their club and then their country.
"So it's going to be slightly different, but I'm sure there will be a very similar atmosphere to what we're used to during FIFA World Cups with the national teams."
There's no doubt who the star attraction will be when Miami take to the field across the group stage, with Lionel Messi the headline act for the American side.
His former teammate, now manager, has acknowledged the impact Messi has had in the short time he's been in the States and his ranking among the sport's greats.
"He's the number one and the number ones transcend the sport," he added.
"They transform the sport and revolutionise all the places that they go to.
"In the case of Leo, it's striking the way he's managed to have such a huge impact on the country, and we have to make the most of the impact that he's had.
(Getty Images)
Miami's other group opponents are Porto and Palmeiras, giving Group A a real global mix. Mascherano knows they go into the tournament as underdogs but has set out a target and believes his team can give themselves a chance of progressing through the competition.
"The objective is to try and compete to the best of our ability, just as we do in all competitions, knowing that it's a top-level competition and we're going to face top-class teams." The 41-year-old finishes by saying.
"In our minds, it's about trying our best and having the ability to take it one game at a time, trying to give ourselves a chance of making it through the group stage and getting into the last 16.
"So, we'll try our best, try to compete at the highest level and if we do that, hopefully we'll do well."
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