‘No-one can copy his play’ – Who will replace injured Lionel Messi for Inter Miami? Robert Taylor willing to ‘try’ in MLS play-off bid

The Argentine superstar has netted 11 goals for the Florida-based outfit through just 12 appearances – helping them to Leagues Cup glory and a place in the U.S. Open Cup final. He is, however, struggling with a knock that forced him to be replaced just 37 minutes into a 4-0 win over Toronto FC.

Messi will now be handed another rest, with a derby date against neighbours Orlando City next on the agenda, meaning that somebody else will be required to step up and lead by example. Taylor did that against Toronto, as he bagged a brace, but the Finland international midfielder concedes that he is no Messi.

Taylor has said of trying to learn from Messi in a bid to cover his absence: “I don’t think there’s much advice he can give on copying his play because no one can copy his play. I will try to do it again, but I won’t promise it. It’s not like Messi, obviously. It's very important. I mean right, it's the most important player for us. But we have to play sometimes without them and it's important for the rest of us to step up and bring in the results as well.”

Jordi Alba is also nursing an injury, making him a doubt for a cup final clash with the Houston Dynamo on September 27. Fitness setbacks have come at the worst possible time for Inter Miami as, alongside their shot at more major silverware, they are now just five points adrift of the MLS Eastern Conference play-off places with six regular season fixtures left to take in.