Inter Miami Coach Guillermo Hoyos Addresses Messi's Impact

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos says the dressing room has been “deeply hurt” as the squad comes to terms with the devastating news surrounding Lionel Messi.

Speaking to ESPN, Hoyos laid bare the emotional weight hanging over the club.

“Regarding Leo, we know what happened, and it is a huge shame, a source of great pain, and we have really felt that impact,” he said.

The Argentine coach described a group struggling to process the moment.

“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 timetable on Messi’s return to the squad, making it clear Inter Miami will not rush their star back and will instead allow him all the time he needs to grieve.

On the field, the games do not stop. Inter Miami must now try to compartmentalise the emotion and turn their attention to Wednesday’s group-stage clash with Club Leon in the 2026 Leagues Cup, a test of not just their football, but their ability to carry on through the hurt.