Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi yet to train, out for Toronto clash

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has confirmed that Lionel Messi will not feature in the team’s Leagues Cup round-of-32 clash against Toronto FC on Thursday night since he has yet to practice with the team since returning from Copa America with an ankle injury.

“Leo is getting better every day. He’s still practicing in the gym [not the field] but he’s better every time and doing well in the timeframe we had considered,” Martino said in a news conference on Wednesday.

Luis Suárez, nonetheless, will be accessible for the conflict at Chase Stadium as he gets back from a constant knee injury that saw the striker miss the 2024 MLS All-Star match in Columbus, Ohio, and sidelined for the team’s final gathering stage game against Tigres on Aug. 3.

“Suárez prepared well, at the degree of every other person in the gathering this week so he will be accessible for the match against Toronto,” Martino said.

The Miami chief had recently expressed that Suárez felt uneasiness in his knee, and stayed on a day-to-day premise as the group screens his circumstance.

Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gómez are set to rejoin the group on Thursday, after getting back from global obligation. Cremaschi highlighted for the U.S. in the Paris Olympics, arriving at the quarterfinals prior to losing to Morocco while Gómez spoke to Paraguay through to the quarterfinals.

“They are in acceptable condition, they showed up in various ways in light of the fact that Benja had little movement and Diego played every one of the games, however both are fit to be utilized and will be in the crew tomorrow,” Martino said.

With the vast majority of the crew accessible, Miami will endeavor to beat Toronto at home to fit the bill for the following round of the competition.

“The significant thing is tomorrow, attempting to play with a group that is extremely serious, that likewise plays well and that for my taste has a spot in the table a lot lower than what they have been playing at as of late, that it has significant players and that it will be truly truly extremely troublesome match in light of the fact that toward the finish of the match it isn’t that you proceed and the following match you have vengeance,” he said.

“If you didn’t do things well and you were outperformed you go home.”