Inter Miami Coach Guillermo Hoyos on Lionel Messi's Impact

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos says the squad has been deeply shaken by the devastating news surrounding Lionel Messi, describing the mood inside the dressing room as one of raw pain.

“Regarding Leo, we know what happened, and it is a huge shame, a source of great pain, and we have really felt that impact,” Hoyos told ESPN, laying bare the emotional toll on the group.

“It has been very hard. Often, there are no words for it. When you go through such a difficult experience, it is hard to recover, yet it is something we all face. In a way, we never truly learn from it because the pain is so intense.”

Hoyos refused to put any timeline on Messi’s return, making it clear the club will not rush their star back into action and will instead give him all the time he needs to grieve.

With Messi absent and the emotional weight still heavy, Inter Miami now have to turn back toward competition, preparing to face Club Leon on Wednesday in the group stage of the 2026 Leagues Cup, a test of both their football and their resilience.