Monterry boss Fernando Ortiz considers Lionel Messi to be “the greatest of all time” and meant no offence with comments aimed at Inter Miami.
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Claim of favouritism from officialsAngry reaction from those in FloridaMexican side into the semi-finalsWHAT HAPPENED?
Ahead of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final clash between Liga MX and MLS outfits, Ortiz claimed that his side may find themselves on the wrong end of contentious decisions from the match officials if Messi – who had been nursing a hamstring injury – figured in the tie.
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Those quotes were not well received in Florida, and contributed to an angry clash in the tunnel following a fiery first leg contest in Florida. Monterrey went on to prevail 5-2 on aggregate, sending Inter Miami crashing out, and Ortiz insists that it was never his intention to ruffle the feathers of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
WHAT ORTIZ SAID
Ortiz said after seeing his side prevail 3-1 on home soil, with Messi playing the full 90 minutes: “I said that we were going to beat them, not for a lack of respect for Miami, just because I thought that my players would understand what needed to be done. To me, Leo is the greatest player of all time, I did not mean to offend anyone, I just gave an honest opinion.”
Getty/GOALDID YOU KNOW?
USMNT star Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo got the goals for Monterrey as they progressed to the Champions Cup semi-finals, with Ortiz adding: “As a coach, I’m happy to eliminate a great team. Gerardo (Martino) and Leo are a great coach and player who are recognised worldwide. We have the satisfaction to win the series, but we are thinking of Tigres.”
