CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
Rayados coach Fernando Ortíz looking forward to seeing Lionel Messi in the return leg
The Monterrey coach hailed Inter Miami’s captain, saying that for as far as he is concerned, Messi is the best player of all time.
After having gained a 1-2 advantage in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter final, Rayados boss Fernando Ortíz looked back over the game with the media, in a moment that served for the Argentine coach to express the respect and admiration he feels for Lionel Messi, who missed the game at Chase Stadium.
After reviewing his team’s performance in Fort Lauderdale, Ortíz answered a question about the absence of the world champion: “I have said it and I will say it again. I consider him to be the best player in the world of all time. Unfortunately he couldn’t be here tonight. I hope he’s back for the return leg and I can enjoy it. It is up to us to make sure we are in the next round, the series is still wide open,” the Rayados coach told reporters.
Despite those words, the Rayados coach made an interesting and revealing comment ahead of the game in which he insinuated that the Concacaf arbitration could do its part to ensure that Messi’s Inter Miami will advance in the tournament rather than his team. In an excerpt from an interview for the Fútbol Prohibido podcast, Ortíz mentioned: “Everything that surrounds Messi can lead to sporting and non-sporting decisions...”
Looking ahead to the return back home at BBVA Stadium, it is expected that Messi will be over his injury problems and declared fit to start the return leg in which the Herons have to mount a comeback at the Sultana del Norte and gain a result that will take them to the semi-finals. In the meantime, Inter Miami has to play the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in MLS matchday 7. Whether Messi will be involved in that game, and for how long remains to be seen but at least Martino’s team will be at home and don’t have to travel.
Freire hails Messi
On behalf of the Garzas, Argentine centre-back Nicolás Freire referred to Messi in the mixed zone: “He’s a born leader and is always supporting the team whether it is his turn to play or not. That’s what leaders do and he is always present.” Like Messi, Freire was also a doubt for Martino ahead of the game - the defender had been out for almost three weeks with a muscular injury but the ended up completing the full 90 minutes.
The return leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter final will be played on Wednesday 10 April at BBVA stadium, kicking off at at 10:30 p.m. ET. / 7:30 p.m. PT.
The winners will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the team who emerges from the quarter final between the Columbus Crew and Tigres. The semi-finals will be played on April 23-25 (first leg) and April 30-May 2 (return leg). The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners will join Club León (2023 champions), Seattle Sounders (2022 champions), and Monterrey (2021 champions) as the region’s four representatives in the expanded, 32-club 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.