Cavalier midfielder Kaile Auvray says that while it will be an incredible experience to share the field with Lionel Messi and his star-studded Inter Miami side in their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 clash, his main focus is on giving a strong performance to help his team progress in the tournament.

Despite the excitement surrounding the fixture—especially the second leg at Jamaica’s National Stadium on March 13—Auvray, a Trinidad and Tobago international, made it clear that for him, the thrill might come after the job is done. The first leg is set for March 6 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

The hype around the match has been intense, with Jamaica buzzing over the possibility of seeing Messi play his first official game in the country.

Still, Auvray, 20, who joined Cavalier last year, insists that Cavalier’s main objective remains advancing to the next round.

“There is a lot of hype. People are talking about the game a lot and scrambling for tickets," the France-born Auvray, who switched allegiance to the Twin Island Republic through his mother, said.

“It (the Messi matchup) was something we knew was a possibility, so once it became official, it was a big opportunity for the club and the country. But the most important thing is the result,” he added.

While rubbing shoulders with Messi—the 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Copa America champion (2021, 2024)—is a highlight for any young player, Auvray remained unfazed.

“I can speak for myself; I don't see myself being star struck. I just want to go out there and do my best for the club,” he declared.

However, Auvray quickly admitted that he will certainly make the most of meeting Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—players he grew up watching at FC Barcelona—after the job is done.

“Maybe after the game... but before and during (we have to focus),” he ended.