Sebastian Giovinco helps Toronto FC prepare for visit of Inter Miami and Messi

TORONTO — A familiar face strolled off the Toronto FC practice field Wednesday as the team continued its preparation for Saturday’s visit by Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.

Sebastian Giovinco, the club’s all-time leading scorer (83 goals) and now its club ambassador/special adviser in retirement, had his boots back on.

Don’t call it a comeback. More like a special guest appearance, playing the role of Messi.

“I can’t think of a better person to give us a feel for what Messi would be like,” Toronto coach Robin Fraser said. “Because I would say Seba was the Messi of this league before Messi actually came to this league.”

“He’s not match-fit at the moment but he just has moments of genius,” Fraser added. “Every time I see him do something, like some of the passes he pulled off today, it just kind of makes me smile because it reminds me of the times when we were here and Seba was at the peak of his game and he was, in a lot of ways, untouchable.

“We’re so lucky to have him still be part of the club and to have the ability to have him come out and do things like this.”

Fraser estimates the 38-year-old Italian has joined in on training perhaps at least 10 times this season.

“He’ll jump in and play. And he’ll often times replicate the other team’s best player and their actions. He’s a handful for guys.”

Captain Jonathan Osorio marvelled at the Atomic Ant.

“The quality never leaves you,” he said. “He helps us a lot, setting us up for whatever rival we have and just showing us different pictures and different scenarios that we might have to deal with.”

Giovinco played four memorable seasons in Toronto colours, scoring 83 goals and 64 assists in 142 appearances with across all competitions from 2015 to 2018.

The four-time MLS all-star led TFC to a historic 2017 treble, winning the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship. He also won two more Canadian Championships (2016, 2018) and helped the club to the final of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.

In 2015, Giovinco won the Landon Donovan MLS MVP, the MLS Golden Boot and MLS Newcomer of the Year awards.

After a contract dispute, Toronto sold the Italian international to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal FC in January 2019. Giovinco joined Toronto’s front office last October after calling time on his playing career.

Toronto (5-13-12) is coming off six straight draws. Miami (15-6-7) played at New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Veteran centre back Kevin Long missed training Wednesday, still sidelined with a hamstring issue.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2025.