Inter Miami team news: Why aren’t Suárez and Messi playing against Colorado Rapids?

Inter Miami will look to get back to winning ways against Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The Herons have floundered in recent weeks, suffering defeats to New York Red Bulls and Monterrey and drawing against struggling New York City FC.

Team captain Lionel Messi has been absent for the past four matches and the Herons have underwhelmed without their talisman. The 36-year-old has returned to the matchday squad for the visit of Colorado but Messi starts on the bench. Here’s the starting XI...

Speaking to the media on Friday, Miami assistant coach Javi Morales said that Messi had been “improving day by day” and suggested that he was close to a return: “We will see how he feels in training. If he feels good, Tata will surely want to play him for 10 minutes, 15 or 45, but it is certain that we want to have him back.”

Inter Miami injury news updates

The news of Messi’s return to the matchday squad is good news for Inter Miami but his is one of a number of injury issues that has blighted the Herons in the early season. Facundo Farias and Ian Fray remain out with long-term injuries and there have been a few other additions to the Chase Stadium medical room.

Recent signing Federico Redondo is expected to miss another month after picking up a knee injury. Martino will also be without Robert Taylor, Yannick Bright and Sergii Kryvtsov, all of whom are suffering hamstring issues.

However the return to fitness of young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi will be a major boost for the Herons. The 19-year-old was one of the breakthrough stars of 2023 but suffered a hernia during pre-season, meaning that he has not featured in a single Game this year. Inter Miami can also call upon Nicolas Freire after missing their last two MLS fixtures due to injury.

With the likes of Messi, Cremaschi and Freire back in the squad Inter Miami look a much more convincing candidate in MLS. But while domestic comPetition is important, the Herons will be conscious of next week’s do-or-die CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg against Monterrey. With that in mind, Tata Martino may look to ease back the returning Lionel Messi as a second half substitute.