Messi’s Influence Looms Large as Miami Faces Cincinnati Showdown
Inter Miami forward Matias Rojas says Lionel Messi continues to have an impact on the team despite being injured as they prepare for Saturday’s huge top-of-the-table clash with FC Cincinnati.
After being eliminated from the League Cup in the Round of 16, Eastern Conference leaders Miami return to MLS against a team currently one spot and five points behind them.
However, they will be without Messi for the match as next week’s clash with the Chicago Fire is thought to be his closest possible return after he was injured in Argentina’s Copa America final victory.
Rojas, who was recruited ahead of the 2024 season and has four league goals so far for Miami, says Messi doesn’t switch off when he’s off the pitch.
“Leo is always there. He watches everything and he talks to us before games,” the Paraguayan said.
“He communicates more with those who can speak Spanish, he pays attention to what is happening, and he gives his opinion.
“We are proud to be there, enjoying these moments with him. Sometimes I talk to my family to realise what is happening, but as I always say, I will not get tired of saying that we share our days with the best player in the history of football.
“There are no words to describe what I feel every day.”
With Cincinnati playing catch-up in the bid to be top seeds, coach Pat Noonan knows they cannot afford to be beaten at Chase Stadium.
“As far as the importance of it goes, with us being behind Miami, the significance of a result is certainly important for the end of the season,” Noonan said.
“We’re trying to be at home in the playoffs. Right now we’re five points behind and trying to close that gap. It’ll certainly be challenging to catch them if we don’t get a result.”
Cincinnati trounced Miami 6-1 on home soil when the teams last met in July, though Gerardo Martino’s men were without several key players for that game, and Noonan expects a very different challenge this time around.
“It’ll be completely different to our last matchup,” Noonan said. “There’s six different guys that could be on the field that weren’t out there.”
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