Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul: Tata Martino, the head coach of Inter Miami CF, has disclosed his plans for Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. It is their Leagues Cup encounter against Cruz Azul on Friday. Messi’s Inter Miami debut might come after halftime, as the former Barcelona tandem is expected to start on the bench for the MLS club.
“From what I have seen up to now they are going fit to play and it is likely that on Friday they can be there,” Martino said. “Whether that will be as starters or coming in at the half, we will have to make that decision yet. But as I see it, Leo as well as Busi can play. “
WATCH Lionel Messi & Sergio Busquets LIGHT up first Inter Miami Training
Messi and freshly signed Sergio Busquets, according to Miami coach Tata Martino, are ready to play. He has yet to determine if they would start against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
On Sunday, Miami signed Busquets, Messi’s longtime partner at FC Barcelona. It was the same day as Messi’s formal welcome at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Miami sits bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 5-14-3 record and is 12 points out of the playoffs. But, according to Martino, the Herons will receive the greatest version of Messi.
“What has not changed is his desire to continue competing and winning. I think it shows a very salient trait Leo has as a football player. His perpetual desire to compete and win. I think that winning the World Cup took a great weight off his back.” he added.
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“But someone I admire a lot told me that he is coming to MLS carrying an empty suitcase. Butwithout all the pressure he had in Barcelona in 2010-11 or the pressure of the national team,” Martino said. “Now, I think I am going to find a very competitive version of him because he has the need to win wearing this shirt now, because he has not won here yet.”
Messi and Busquets have not played in a competitive match in over a month. While the 2022 World Cup champion played in a friendly against Australia in China on June 15, Busquets’ last outing for Barcelona was on May 28 against Mallorca.
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