Beware of Messi: TFC defenders aim to limit Miami suspestar’s chances

TORONTO — Toronto FC centre back Walker Zimmerman understands that, without the proper preparation and mindset, things can get very messy when Lionel Messi is on the pitch.

Zimmerman said it will be up to the Reds to try to limit the Argentinian superstar’s chances when Messi and his Inter Miami squad visits BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.

It’s about containment and not losing focus of the big picture, the first-year TFC defender said.

“I think the way we manage (Messi) is to try to stay strong as a collective,” said Zimmerman. “It’s a team sport. It’s Toronto against Miami. It’s not Toronto against Messi, it’s not me against Messi. Obviously, they have other pieces that are dangerous, so you can’t put too much focus on one player.”

Messi has eight goals and two assists this season as he contends for a third straight Landon Donovan award given to Major League Soccer’s MVP. The Reds are expecting upwards of 45,000 fans to descend on BMO to watch the eight-time FIFA world player of the year and his Miami club take on the home side.

Messi recorded 29 goals in 28 games for The Herons last season and his move to the MLS in 2023, after many sensational seasons in Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has been a huge success for the player, the club and the league.

“You obviously know his quality in front of the goal is special and so you try to limit the amount of times that he has a free lane to shoot or make a final pass, (though) that’s easier said than done,” said Zimmerman. “Certainly, there are going to be times when he’s going to make great plays. But you’ve got to try to limit those moments. So, tough task. But we’ll be up for it.”

Like TFC, Miami is coming off a frustrating result in its last outing. Inter Miami heads to Toronto fresh off a stunning 4-3 loss to Florida rival Orlando City, despite taking a 3-0 lead at home.

The Reds stunningly lost to Canadian Premier League champions Atletico Ottawa on Tuesday night in the Telus Canadian Championship preliminary round. Expect both sides to want to make a statement on Saturday.

TFC head coach Robin Fraser said his players were “embarrassed” by Tuesday’s match.

“Aggressive mentality,” said Fraser, when asked what he expects to see from his team on Saturday. “It’s aggressive with the ball, it’s aggressive without the ball. I think intensity has been the calling card of this team this season and Tuesday felt like it wasn’t where it usually is. In training today (Thursday), we’ve seen a spike in intensity. I think, without a doubt, this group knows that they have something to prove.”

Fraser agrees with Zimmerman that it would be a mistake to focus on one player, even one as talented as Messi.

“They’re loaded with talented players,” said Fraser of Miami. “Stopping them is probably the No.1 priority. And then we’ve got to find ways to hurt them as well.”

The reigning MLS Cup champions from the Sunshine State have five wins, two losses and four draws for 19 points and sit tied for second in the Eastern Conference, while the Reds have three wins, three losses and five draws for 14 points and are eighth.

After a slow start, German Berterame, Miami’s marquee winter signing, has three goals in his last five games as he chases a spot on Mexico’s World Cup roster. Midfielder Telasco Segovia leads the Herons with seven assists. The Reds also have to be aware of Messi’s Argentina teammate, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who has two goals and three assists.

Fraser said he is not expecting any of his injured starters – including Djordje Milhailovic (pelvis), Richie Laryea (thigh), Matheus Pereira (groin), and Nicksoen Gomis (Achilles) – back this weekend. Leading the Reds’ attack this season has been Hungarian international Daniel Salloi who has posted four goals and three assists.

The Reds are winless in their last five matches at home and Saturday’s contest marks the end of the club’s nine-game home stand. Because of the World Cup break, TFC doesn’t return to BMO Field until Aug. 15.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2026.

Steve Buffery, The Canadian Press