Frayed loyalties

WHILE THE country is torn between supporting Caribbean champions Cavalier and hoping they get a glimpse of Lionel Messi when his Inter Miami comes to the National Stadium tomorrow, for one person there is even more of a dilemma.

Ian Fray shares a field with some of the best players of all time. He shares a midfield with Sergio Busquets, one of the greatest central defensive midfielders ever, he feeds Lionel Messi on a weekly basis, and links up with Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.

All those players formed part of a Barcelona side that dominated LaLiga and helped Messi become one of the most decorated players of all time.

The fact he is able to earn starts in a team of that kind of quality speaks to his talent.

But what many do not know, is that Fray is Jamaican. He is American too and therefore has a tough choice to make, one he is in no hurry to lock himself into.

“I have both Jamaican and US citizenship. As of now, I am keeping my options open,” said Fray after he watched from the bench when 10-man Inter squeezed out a 1-0 draw against Charlotte FC on Sunday.

Fray’s sister, Marlee, has already made her choice, turning out for the Reggae Girlz, but the 22-year-old, who qualifies to play for Jamaica through his parents, can be forgiven for not focusing on his international future just yet.

Fray signed to Inter in 2019 and tore an anterior cruciate ligament twice, first delaying his start to life at Inter in 2021, and again in 2023.

In 2024, Fray was again injured, this time a medial meniscus problem that put him out until just this year.

“At the moment, I am more focused on getting back from my injury and recovering,” he said.

On March 6, Jamaicans were able to see first-hand the quality Fray has to offer, the midfielder starting alongside Busquets in the team’s 2-0 win over Cavalier in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 game inside the Chase Stadium.

But he also got to see what Jamaicans were made of.

“They were a good side and showed a lot of heart. A young group of guys which was good to see coming out of Jamaica,” Fray said.

“It was also nice to see the Jamaican flags and supporters here. It was definitely good to see that because my dad is from there.”

For now, Fray is content learning from the greats around him.

“It’s amazing every day. Learning a lot from everybody, especially from those guys. I think the biggest thing is just learning from them.”

Fray has also poven himself to be a bit of a utility player. He has shown he can play central midfield, even though his original listing is as a centre back, and he also makes the odd foray as right back when needed.

Fray and Inter Miami face Cavalier in the second leg of their Champions Cup tie tomorrow at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, beginning at 8:00 p.m.