Inter Miami defender Franco Negri is now confident the Herons can get a result against CF Monterrey with Lionel Messi now back to full fitness.
The Argentine superstar returned to action on Saturday from the bench as Messi scored in his comeback match for Inter Miami after being out injured for almost a month.
With the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup series against Monterrey this Wednesday, Messi’s return to Inter Miami’s matchday squad could not have come at a more perfect time.
Franco Negri excited by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami return
And speaking to Deporte Total USA, defender Negri expressed his delight at Messi returning to action, with the left-back himself also making his first appearance for Inter Miami in some time due to an injury.
With Messi impressing so quickly for Inter Miami after being out for some time, there’s no real reason why some players in the squad are confident about their chances now against Monterrey.
And with a 2-0 win enough to book Inter Miami’s spot in the Champions Cup semi-finals, there’s reason to believe that the Florida franchise can do what many think is impossible in Mexico.
Negri said: “Leo’s return gives us all hope. We have to try to give each of us our best in whatever position we have to play because we need to go and win Wednesday’s game to be able to advance to the next round.”
Lionel Messi will need an all-time performance to beat Monterrey
Messi hasn’t been short of clutch moments for Inter Miami since joining the MLS franchise last year, yet the Argentine might need to go one step beyond on Wednesday against Monterrey.
The Mexican giants lead the series 2-1 and look like strong favorites to progress to the next round of the Champions Cup, unless Messi has something to say about the tie.
The 36-year-old is, as we know, the greatest of all time, and if there’s one player who could single-handily drag Inter Miami through this tie, it’s Messi, who could now start on Wednesday.