Lorenzo Insigne reportedly does not travel with Toronto FC for MLS side's opening day match vs. D.C. United

The Italian star, who was MLS' second-highest paid player in 2024, is reportedly not in their plans for 2025

WHAT HAPPENED?
Lorenzo Insigne has not traveled with Toronto FC for their MLS opening day match against D.C. United, with his absence being a coach's decision. Newly appointed boss Robin Fraser does not see the Italy international in his plans for the upcoming season.
The club has reportedly engaged in transfer opportunities for the winger, but he has declined the chance to depart the MLS side.
GIVEMESPORT was the first to report that TFC did not plan to utilize Insigne for the 2025 season and that he did not travel Saturday.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The report added that clubs from Italy, Spain and Turkey all approached TFC over a potential move, but the winger declined each opportunity in January.
In 2024, per the MLS Players Association, Insigne made a guaranteed compensation of $15.4M. Since arriving in MLS as a Designated Player with TFC, he has 14 goals and 14 assists in 54 appearances across four seasons.
In 2023, The Athletic reported that Insigne was part of a fractured locker room involving former head coach Bob Bradley, which reportedly led to the manager's dismissal later that season. Later that campaign, a detailed report emerged saying the Italian had an argument with interim manager Terry Dunfield, who replaced Bradley.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2024, Insigne only managed 23 appearances for the club, and in a match against Inter Miami after returning from injury, he came off the bench putting in a sluggish cameo. After the game, then head coach John Herdman appeared to take a shot at him over his work ethic.
"You could see he didn't have much in him," Herdman told media. "I think he managed to get Messi's shirt, though. But... yeah."