CF Monterrey manager Fernando Ortiz has given his honest verdict on Lionel Messi playing tonight for Inter Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final.
The Herons captain is due to return to the starting XI tonight after Tata Martino strongly suggested that Messi will start this evening against Monterrey in Mexico, with the winger playing 40 minutes on the weekend against the Colorado Rapids.
With Inter Miami down 2-1 against Monterrey, a two-goal win is needed if the Florida franchise are to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, with pundit Matt Doyle hinting that Messi is fired up for the match later tonight.
Monterrey manager delivers honest verdict on facing Lionel Messi
And speaking to the Miami Herald, Monterrey manager Ortiz has now given his verdict on how he is feeling about facing Messi tonight, with Inter Miami set to go all out for this fixture against the Mexican giants.
With the Herons giving Monterrey a good match last time without their star man, there is hope that Inter Miami could get the result needed to progress to the next round of the competition, even after Ortiz’s verdict on Messi taking part in the fixture.
Ortiz said when asked what his feelings are ahead of tonight’s clash against Inter Miami with Messi expected to start: “We are Monterrey. We are at home with our fans. Messi can worry about us.
“No, but seriously, we are very fortunate to be on the field with the best player in the world. We will enjoy it, but at the same time we want to win.”
Inter Miami need Lionel Messi to have his best game yet
Messi hasn’t been short of clutch moments yet for Inter Miami, yet tonight could be the night the Argentine puts on his best game yet for the Herons.
A two-goal win is needed if Inter Miami are to book their place in the final four of the Champions Cup, and Messi will be the man to push the Herons to victory if such an outcome becomes a reality.
Indeed, Messi is a man for the big games and the biggest of moments, and the 36-year-old knows he has the quality to change the entire nature of this tie on it’s head with a big performance of his own in Mexico.