Gerardo Martino’s optimistic phrase about Lionel Messi a few hours before Inter Miami’s rematch against Mexico’s Monterrey

He InterMiami he is, perhaps, facing the most important moment of the season, naturally looking for others to succeed him. But for that to happen, they have to win this Wednesday in Mexico and, if it’s by two goals, even better. That’s why it’s obvious that he needs the star Lionel Messiwho appears among the cottons, and although he is expected to play, Gerardo Martino, coach of the American team, preferred to be cautious in the preview.

“Okay, it was good to have played 45 minutes at the weekend, but we still train today (Tuesday) and then we’ll see. Apparently the wound is left behind“Our season has just started and we need to have healthy players,” explained Tata Martino.

The first leg clash between Inter and Rayados in Miami It was 2-1 in favor of Monterrey, so the Mexican team would have the advantage in a hypothetical definition based on away goals.. For this reason Las Garzas knows that they will have to score two goals if they want to have a chance of qualifying. If the result of the first leg is repeated, there will be extra time and then penalties.

From Martino’s words it is therefore clear that there could be some doubts about Messi’s departure from the starting eleven, after a right hamstring injury left him out of the first leg and from which he barely recovered.

“The difference with the previous game is due to our need“We will try to go out and look for at least two goals and I understand that in front of us we have a rival who plays with the tranquility of having won on the road”, explained the Rosario coach.

Inter Miami has the motivation, in addition to the natural one of seeking victory, to stay alive in the tournament that qualifies its champion for the 2025 Club World Cup.

In addition to the trophy and the ticket to the World Cup, this series adds further interest because, after the first leg, Messi went down to the locker room to face Argentine Fernando Ortizcoach of the Rayados, and part of his technical staff.

Regarding that episode, and whether it could generate further fuel for Leo, Martino assured: “For someone like him, competing as he has at a professional level since he was 16, he doesn’t need any extra or special situation to feel motivated The day “Don’t do it, you’ll leave football”.

Leo, loved in Mexico

In the hotel where Inter are staying in Monterrey there was an invasion of (local) fans to see Messi. In this regard, Rosario’s coach stated: “Leo’s presence transcends all types of situations, people love football, regardless of the shirt, and we were sure that it would happen like when we go to other cities in the United States” .

Wednesday’s duel will mark Messi’s return to Mexico. The last time was in 2011, when he played a couple of friendlies, and it will be the first official match in this country for the world champion captain.

The winner of the series between Miami and Monterrey will face the winner of the duel between the Mexican Tigres UANL and the Columbus Crew, champions of the American MLS, in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, a series that ends 1-1.