Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has now hinted if Lionel Messi will start against CF Monterrey in Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup clash.
The Argentine international returned to action this weekend after nearly a month out on the sideline with a hamstring injury, with Messi scoring from the bench against the Colorado Rapids.
Inter Miami have missed their captain and star attacker, with Messi missing the Herons’ 2-1 loss to Monterrey last week in their crucial Champions Cup tie.
Tata Martino hints if Lionel Messi will start for Inter Miami vs Monterrey
Yet speaking to the Miami Herald, manager Martino revealed that Messi could now be fit enough to start for Inter Miami against Monterrey on Wednesday in Mexico.
The Florida franchise will need to win by two clear goals if they’re to progress to the semi-finals of the continental competition, a prospect that might scare many MLS sides.
However, with Inter Miami and Messi, the impossible is always possible, and the 36-year-old starting from the jump could be huge in the Herons getting a historic result in Monterrey.
Martino said: “The idea is for Messi to start. He played 45 minutes tonight, we know how difficult the next game will be. The most important thing is he came back, he felt good, he scored.”
Lionel Messi starting could lead to the impossible
MLS teams have a tragic history against Mexican sides in the Champions Cup, with Liga MX having a strong grip on how the narrative of this competition pans out.
Yet no Mexican team has faced a team as stacked as Inter Miami, with Messi’s return something that could give the Herons a huge boost in doing the impossible on Wednesday.
A 2-0 win in Monterrey would be nothing short of historic for Martino’s side, and Messi being named in the starting XI could be huge in Inter Miami’s quest to win the Champions Cup.