Lionel Messi: Inter Miami star ‘OUT of Champions Cup clash with Monterrey’ after failing to recover in time from a hamstring injury… despite returning to practice on Tuesday

Lionel Messi has been left out of Inter Miami’s squad for their Champions Cup tie with Monterrey this evening after failing to recover from injury in time.

Miami will face the Mexican club in the first leg of their battle for the last eight at the DRV PNK Stadium, with head coach Tata Martino unable to turn to his star man this evening.

Despite returning to training on Tuesday, Messi has not been included in the 19-man roster for Wednesday’s first leg, with Martino deciding the risk of being thrown back too early outweighs the potential reward.

The 36-year-old hasn’t played for Miami since mid-March, when he limped out of the team’s round of 16 win over Nashville SC.

In his absence, Robert Taylor and Julian Gressell will once again flank Luis Suarez in attack as Martino makes no changes to his frontline following last weekend’s 1-1 draw in New York City.

Diego Gomez, David Ruiz and Sergio Busquets form a three-man midfield, with Jordi Alba, Nicolas Freire, Tomas Aviles and Marcelo Weigandt in defence.

Messi has missed three games for Miami since picking up the hamstring problem last month, with his team taking just four points out of nine in that time.

After a 3-1 win on the road at DC United, Inter were beaten 4-0 by the New York Red Bulls before being held to a 1-1 draw at home to NYCFC on Saturday.