Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has confirmed that star player Lionel Messi will not be participating in the team's upcoming Leagues Cup round-of-32 clash against Toronto FC. Messi, who recently returned from Copa América with an ankle injury, has not yet trained with the team and is still undergoing rehabilitation in the gym.
On the other hand, Luis Suárez is set to make his return to the pitch after recovering from a recurring knee injury. Suárez, who missed the 2024 MLS All-Star match and the team's last group stage game against Tigres, has been training well and is deemed fit to play against Toronto.
Martino also announced that Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gómez will rejoin the team after their international duties. Cremaschi represented the U.S. in the Paris Olympics, while Gómez played for Paraguay, both reaching the quarterfinals in their respective competitions.
With most of the squad available, Inter Miami is gearing up to face Toronto FC at home with the aim of securing a spot in the next round of the tournament. Martino emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, acknowledging Toronto's strong performance despite their current position in the standings.
He highlighted the need for intensity and quality play from his team, emphasizing the competitive nature of the tournament where every match is crucial. Martino stressed the significance of delivering a strong performance to avoid elimination and advance to the next stage of the competition.
