Inter Miami team news: No Messi or Suárez against Montreal in MLS

Lionel Messi was a shock absence as the Inter Miami team arrived at Chase Stadium ahead of their MLS game against Montreal. The player’s fitness was questioned ahead of the game with the Inter Miami assistant manager saying “We already know Leo and he is a player who wants to play every game. I think we will have a conversation with him, see how he feels, see how he is and try to decide what is best for him”.

In the end, it seems that the World Cup winner will miss out on the tie.

Follow all the latest updates from the game between Inter Miami and Montreal

The tight March schedule for Inter Miami seems to be lighting up serious warning lights for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino and his coaching staff. As the string of MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup matches forces them to spread out the load and rotate the squad in order to avoid injuries that could harm The Herons, rumours have swirled of physical issues to their top stars, something which caused a dream season last year to finish in heartbreak.

Specifically, care is being focused on the team’s veterans: both Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez are two of the names that Inter Miami always try to maintain in good physical condition to avoid injuries like last season, since after the CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville, the fatigue warning light for the World Cup champion was already flashing amber.

Prior to Inter Miami’s trip to Canada to face Montreal in MLS (March 10, 4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT.), Javier Morales, assistant to Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, spoke to AS USA confirming that a decision has not yet been made as to whether Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez will be ready to play this Sunday.

In a press conference, Morales highlighted Messi’s drive and desire to play every game, but also explained that Leo himself is aware that he must rest and his participation against Montreal will be decided after analysing what is most sensible for both the player and the club.

“We already know Leo and he is a player who wants to play every game. I think we will have a conversation with him, see how he feels, see how he is and try to decide what is best for him because he has played 90 minutes every game and we will make the best decision thinking about the future,” explained Javier Morales to the media.

Another aspect that Morales highlighted and emphasised regarding Messi is his competitiveness. Despite showing signs of fatigue against Nashville, the Albiceleste captain always wants to be on the field and win as much as possible, something that for Tata’s assistant completely characterises and defines Lionel.

“What I can highlight is that I am surprised by how much he (Messi) competes. He is a player who has just won the World Cup and is playing in the Concachampions and wants to win it; he plays a rondo and wants to win, so that is something that really surprises me that he has that ability and that is why he is who he is,” he added.

Suárez ‘has no injury problems, he is fine, he is fit to play’

Another player who is likely to be rested this Sunday against Montreal is Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who scored two goals in recent matches and seems to be starting to find his best form with Inter Miami. Although there are no injury issues, Inter Miami are considering resting the forward with the long season ahead the main factor behind the decision.

“Luis is fine, in fact he played almost every game and is doing very well, he scored two goals in the last home game and the other day he got a goal, but he has no injury problems, he is fine, he is fit to play.”

“What is true is what we talked about just now”, he added, “both Luis and Leo and all the players have been playing a lot of minutes, especially in this series of matches, we will try to manage it in the best way so that they can perform and this is for the long term, we cannot do anything crazy. It is the same with Leo: we will try to talk to him and we will see what is best”, explained Morales.

One of the more positive pieces of news for The Herons ahead of this important week in which they face Montreal, Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and then DC United in MLS, is the return of two important men.

Jordi Alba and Leonardo Campana, who were left out of the last match against Nashville in the Concachampions, returned to training this Saturday and are available for Tata in these tough matches.