‘A born leader’ - Lionel Messi injury not stopping his Inter Miami presence as Nicolas Freire reveals dressing room ‘support’ throughout CONCACAF Champions Cup loss

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has sat out the Herons’ last four matches in all competitions – since limping out of a CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Nashville in mid-March. That untimely knock also prevented him from linking up with Argentina during the latest round of international fixtures.

Messi has returned to training in Florida, but did not form part of Inter Miami’s matchday squad for the first leg of their Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Monterrey. He was left watching on from the sidelines as the Herons suffered a 2-1 defeat on home soil.

The South American may have seen no game time in that contest, but he was still a prominent voice in the dressing room and continues to inspire those around him. Freire told Deporte Total USA of having the all-time great around: “He is a born leader and is always supporting whether it is his turn to play or not, he is always present.”

Inter Miami will be hoping to have Messi at their disposal when facing Colorado in MLS competition on Saturday. They will then head to Mexico looking to keep their Champions Cup dreams alive on April 10.