Lionel Messi gets first Inter Miami start since March 13

Lionel Messi was named in Inter Miami’s starting lineup against Monterrey for the second leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal clash at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday night.

He returns to Inter Miami’s starting lineup for the first time since being named in the XI on March 13 for a round of 16 match against Nashville SC after nursing a right thigh injury.

Messi did return for Miami as a substitute in a MLS game on Saturday, scoring a goal in the second half in a draw with the Colorado Rapids.

Head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino teased the return of his star on Tuesday in the press conference ahead of the match by confirming Messi’s fitness level.

“Well, he’s good. He felt good after playing 45 minutes in the MLS match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday,” Martino said. “We still have today’s training, so we shall see. But the injury continues to be left behind, which is the most important part.”

Inter Miami comes into the match trailing by one goal, after falling 2-1 to Monterrey at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last Wednesday. Goals by Maximilliano Meza and Jorge Meza cancelled out Tomas Aviles’ strike in the first half to secure the first-leg win.

The Herons must now score at least two goals to beat Monterrey, as Concacaf still uses away goals as a determining factor in knockout round matches.

The World Cup winner with Argentina left Miami’s CCC round-of-16 match against Nashville early in the second half on March 13 with a right thigh injury that also kept him out of a pair of friendlies with the national team.

The MLS side bypassed the initial round of the Champions Cup by winning the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup in 2023, before beating Nashville in the round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals.