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News, Blog and GuidesThe Monterrey coach hailed Inter Miami’s captain, saying that for as far as he is concerned, Messi is the best player of all time.
Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Fernando PetrocellifpetrocelliAlexis UzetaAlexUzettaAndy HallEstados UnidosUpdate: Apr 4th, 2024 11:03 EDT0
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.MEGAN BRIGGSAFP
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.
🗣️ El 'Tano' Ortíz lamentó que Messi no jugara en la ida contra #Rayados pero desea que se recupere de su lesión para verlo en la vuelta 🙏🏼(🎥: @fpetrocelli) pic.twitter.com/foAHiXo9LW
— AS México (@ASMexico) April 4, 2024
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.
🚨El @InterMiamiCF cae en el partido de ida en los cuartos de final de la #concachampions ⚽️🦩 #intermiami 🎥: @fpetrocelli nos presenta el análisis del partido 👇 pic.twitter.com/hFGbJYBdv3
— AS USA (@US_diarioas) April 4, 2024
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.
