Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has stated that Lionel Messi's role for the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match against CF Monterrey remains undefined. The first leg of this crucial clash is set to take place on Wednesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

During a media availability on Tuesday, Martino revealed, "We'll define [his role] tomorrow. Today I don't know, but he trained. We're still defining it, we still have 24 hours." This uncertainty stems from Messi's recent injury, which has required careful management of his playing time.

After being forced off the pitch during the Champions Cup victory against Nashville SC on March 13, with a right hamstring injury, Messi withdrew from Argentina's squad and watched from afar as his team faced D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls, and New York City FC. However, the star forward finally returned to training on Tuesday morning, joining his teammates for the ongoing scrimmage.

Martino emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of Messi and all the players, taking into account the early stage of the season. "For us, this is all just starting, and we cannot put the conditions of our players at risk. We will determine fundamentally what is best for Leo and every other player, and then we'll make the correct decisions," he clarified.

The team has been grappling with several injuries, making their preparations more challenging. Defender Nicolás Freire also trained before the Monterrey match, but his availability for the game will be decided in due course. Meanwhile, Serhiy Kryvtsov is still recovering from a hamstring issue that kept him out of Sunday's MLS encounter. Federico Redondo, Facundo Farías, Ian Fray, and Robbie Robinson remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

Despite these setbacks, Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez expressed confidence in the team's ability to cope without Messi. "We know [Messi] is a player that makes a difference," Suárez stated. "If he's not there, we'll do it like we did the other day and win the games without him. If he's there, we'll enjoy it more. Play continues, and if the team stays together and keeps going forward, that's the focus."

Inter Miami secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup by winning the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup in 2023. They then overcame Nashville in the round of 16, with a 2-2 draw in the first leg and a 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium in the second leg.

As they prepare to face Monterrey, Inter Miami remains hopeful that they can maintain their competitive edge despite the challenges posed by injuries. The team aims to deliver a strong performance on Wednesday, knowing that their full squad strength is just around the corner.