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Inter Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi recently revealed Lionel Messi's message to the team following their disappointing exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Cremaschi said that Messi did not let the team dwell on the defeat after the match, urging his side to put the loss behind them quickly. The former Barcelona ace was expected to help overturn a 2-1 deficit for Inter Miami against Monterrey in the quarter-final fixture, but the side fell to another 3-1 loss.
Cremaschi told En Juego Sports:
“After our elimination against Monterrey, the experienced players in the locker room (Messi, Suarez, Busquets & Alba) told us that we have to stay focused and keep working,”
The Herons would bounce back in their next match, with Lionel Messi living up to his advice with a goal and assist against Sporting Kansas City in the MLS.
Despite the setback in the Champions Cup, the Inter Miami project continues to go according to plan, with the side looking set to secure a playoff place.
Inter Miami will now focus on their next game, an MLS tie against Nashville. Lionel Messi hopes to continue his fine run of form and add to his haul of seven goals and four assists in eight games.
Lionel Messi gets flak for Inter Miami loss to Monterrey
Lionel Messi has been criticized by the cast of ESPN's Futbol Americas for failing to help Inter Miami secure a win against Mexican side Monterrey. Retired players-turned-pundits, Herculez Gomez and Sebastian Salazar were critical of the Argentine Maestro for not turning on the style in the game.
Speaking after The Herons won their next game against Sporting Kansas in the MLS, Gomez said on ESPN:
"You go from playing against Rayados [Monterrey] who in CONCACAF is star-studded in their house where the fans were hostile and I thought we were going to see the angry Messi and for him to show up but he sure did in this game [vs Sporting KC]. We got prime Barcelona Messi, but my initial reaction? Three days too late.”
The pair also referenced comments made by the Mexican side's assistant coach, Nico Sanchez, who referred to Messi as a "possessed dwarf" with "the face of the devil" in leaked audio following a tunnel confrontation. The Monterrey assistant would later offer an apology.
The World Cup winner will have put the loss and comments behind him, with his side looking set to have a fantastic season. The Herons currently sit top of the MLS Eastern Conference and will look to qualify for and do better in the next edition of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The Miami-based franchise will next host Nashville in the MLS, Tata Martino's side will hope they can secure a win during matchday 10 to consolidate their hold on top spot. The Herons must now manage their maestro properly to keep him fit and available for the important moments left in the season.
