FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Inter Miami head coach Cristian "Kily" González confirmed Lionel Messi will rejoin the team for the match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday after receiving the Princess of Asturias award for sport in Oviedo, Spain.
Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday to receive an award, with hundreds of fans lining the street to welcome the Inter Miami captain.
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"Yes, obviously [we count on Leo Messi for tomorrow's game] but more than that what fills me with pride is his commitment to the club and with all of us," González on Friday. After receiving that award, which is an award that is really important not because of what he generates on the field which we know what he does, but what he generates as a person because of his values that everyone sees.
"That's why he receives this kind of award, which is a privilege. He, after all this emotion that he is living in Spain, has his own initiative to be here with us tomorrow and play, we must feel proud. It's another message that he sends, the way he is committed to the club and the way he wants to do what he can for all of us."
The Princess of Asturias Award recognizes individuals and institutions for notable achievements in fields like literature, social sciences, scientific and technical research, international cooperation and sports.
Messi became the first individual football player to be given the honor by the jury when it was announced in June.
Inter Miami currently sit in second place on the Eastern Conference table with 55 points in 30 games. Last year's MLS Cup winner has already clinched a MLS playoff spot with four games left to be played in the regular season.
Despite an inconsistent year, González insisted that Miami should accept the challenge of being considered one of the favorites to repeat as champion given that the team boasts Messi on the roster.
"I like [being considered the favorites]," he said. "Of course I like it, we have to assume it. I have the number one player in the world.
"The number one player in the world assumes that challenge, and we all have to accompany him. We have to be prepared because it's not easy, but we have to accept the challenge.
"We have to play, be brave and assume that you have to try to win the league. We take it that way. Obviously, we have to improve on a lot of things but we have faith that we'll be able to improve."
Inter Miami will play the Red Bulls on Saturday before returning to Miami to host FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium on Wednesday.