Inter Miami coach Martino appeared at a press conference ahead of his side's MLS season opener against Real Salt Lake. Asked about the fitness of Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, he said that both are ready to start.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said on Tuesday that both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will be available to play all 90 minutes of the team's debut in the new MLS season. "Yes, they are ready to play and, if required, for the full 90 minutes. After that, we will always look at it depending on the needs of the team," the coach told a news conference.
Inter Miami kick off the new MLS campaign on Wednesday with a home match against Real Salt Lake at 8 p.m. (1 GMT Thursday). The remainder of Matchday 1 of the 2024 MLS season will be played between Saturday 24 and Sunday 25.
Both Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake will do a double-header in the first week, as the Florida side will also play away to LA Galaxy on Sunday, while the Utah side will face Saint Louis City away on Saturday.
Argentine Nicolas Freire is Inter Miami's only doubt for their first game of the campaign. Spain's Sergio Busquets, who missed the final pre-season friendly against Newell's Old Boys due to injury, is expected to be fit.
With Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Jordi Alba leading the way, Inter Miami are the team to beat in MLS this year and Martino highlighted the "commitment" of these players to the project. "The new man is Luis, but, in reality, I still see them very committed to the team, to the rest of the squad, excited. The truth is that, in that sense, since day one, we have found the same response and, to this day, they continue to maintain it", he explained.
"Coming from them and especially for the rest of the squad, it's no small thing. That the rest of the players, especially the younger ones, feel the support they are given," he added.