MIAMI.- Lionel Messi He is preparing for the most difficult moment of his career, the farewell to the Argentine team, but first he must attend to an important commitment for the team’s aspirations. Inter Miami in the MLS.
With a team full of casualties, Miami will visit the Columbus Crew with the need to break a long negative streak of results.
Last week, Inter celebrated the conquest of the Champions Cup, but they were unable to transfer that momentum to the North American League (MLS), in which they have accumulated four consecutive draws.
Since August, they have only recorded two victories in the twelve games played between the MLS and the Leagues Cupfrom which he was removed in the group stage.
Messi’s team, third in the Eastern Conference 11 points behind the leader Nashville SCcannot lose any more ground if he wants to secure at least a place for the next Concacaf Champions Cup.
Time is also pressing for the squad to adapt to the ideas of its new coach, Cristian “Kily” González, before the start of the playoffs in November, in which the “Herons” aspire to retain the title achieved last year.
Improve defense
Messi, at 39 years old, has not stopped making a difference even after his monumental effort in the World Cupin which he pushed Argentina until the final.
The man from Rosario has scored eleven goals in his ten games as a starter since the defeat against Spain, But his attacking teammates don’t contribute enough to compensate for Miami’s chronic defensive problems.
The Uruguayan Luis Suarez, holder both with the dismissed Guillermo Hoyos As with “Kily”, he has four goals in the last ten games and the Mexican-Argentine German Berterame He hasn’t seen the door since May.
The former forward of Montereythe most expensive signing in Inter’s history, is one of the starters who have gone to their national teams for this long date FIFA of two weeks, if applicable, to come under the orders of Rafael Marquez in the Tri.
The midfielder Matias Galarza joined the combined Paraguaythe defender Fricio Caicedo to the of Ecuador and the archer Dayne St. Clair to the of Canadawhile the Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia is injured.
Griezmann aims to reappear
Messi, for his part, stayed working Florida along with other veterans like Suárez, the Brazilian Casemiro and the Argentine Rodrigo De Paul.
With his international future up in the air, De Paul will only join Argentina for Messi’s big farewell in the friendly on October 6 in Buenos Aires in view of Benin.
The members of the world champion team in 2022 were invited to accompany the great captain at the close of his glorious career with the Albiceleste, which he leaves as the historic scorer (125 goals) and as the player with the most appearances (207).
“It’s going to be difficult not to cry that day, it’s a privilege to be able to be there,” the coach acknowledged on Thursday. Lionel Scaloni.
Columbus, Messi’s last opponent before traveling to Buenos Aires, has been having a gray campaign, but has regained color with the arrival of the Spanish midfielder Brais Mendezone of the most outstanding signings of the American summer.
In other notable duels, the Chicago Fire will visit on Saturday charlotte with the decline of Robert Lewandowskienlisted by Poland for their commitments League of Nations European.
Antoine Griezmannwho is retired from the French team, could reappear with Orlando City in view of Philadelphia Union after missing the previous day due to physical problems.
On his side, the CF Montreal from Chilean Alexis Sanchez will receive FC Cincinnati sunk in last place in the East and with minimal chances of qualifying for the postseason.
