Will Messi play against Monterrey in the Concachampions match today, 3 April?

With the clock ticking down towards a massive continental clash for Inter Miami, the question on every fans lips regarding Messi pulling on the iconic pink shirt tonight remains unanswered. Heron’s head coach Tata Martino stated it would not be known until almost an hour before the match if the Argentine would be able to play any minutes as a recurring hamstring problem has been issue bothering the striker.

Unfortunately for Miami supporters, Messi has not recovered in time to feature in the quarter-final first leg against Monterrey and is absent from the matchday squad. Here’s the confirmed starting XI for Inter Miami...

“We have to realise that we are at the beginning of April and for us all the season has just begun and what we must not do is put the physical condition of our players at risk,” said the Argentine coach in the press conference prior to tonight’s match.

Although the Argentine World Cup winner returned to training yesterday with the rest of his teammates, he is far from match fit and was deemed too much of a risk.

Monterrey set to offer stern test

Despite sitting second in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami have blown hot and cold in the season to date with their 4-0 humbling to NY Red Bulls exposing defensive frailties in a team that fails to offer the same level of threat without the talismanic Messi.

Rayados de Monterrey are one of Liga MX’s powerhouses and going into last weekend’s round of Liga MX games, the Nuevo Leon based side were unbeaten in the current 2024 Clausura season and topped the table. Things turned sour however for Fernando Ortiz and his side as they fell at home losing 0-2 to Chivas in matchday 13 of the 2024 Clausura season.

Ortíz started the game against the “Sacred Flock” with the likes of Esteban Andrada, Héctor Moreno, Stefan Medina, Luis Romo, Maximiliano Meza and Sergio Canales, players who are currently the backbone of the Monterrey team but Ortiz did rest Brandon Vázquez in the first half.

Canales offers the creativity in the heart of the Monterrey midfield and Meza will also be a key piece for Rayados with the 31-year-old the top assist provider in the current Concachampions with four and his effectivity in link up play with Vazquez could dictate if the tie is won or lost for the Liga MX outfit.

Inter Miami-Monterrey: kick-off details

The CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final first leg between Inter Miami and Monterrey will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday 3 April 2024.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm ET/5pm PT and our very own Will Gittins will be covering the best of the action from Florida live via AS USA.