Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi when they host Tigres UANL in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale. The MLS club announced that Messi, who has been dealing with a nagging right hamstring issue, did not take part in the pre-match activities in team apparel and wasn’t listed in the starting XI for the game.
What we know about Messi’s status
– Messi first picked up the injury in a Leagues Cup match on Aug. 2 and appeared to reaggravate the issue in an Aug. 16 MLS clash with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
– Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano indicated Messi could be available but said the superstar trained separately from the group the day before the quarterfinal. For the match against Tigres, Messi did not travel as a listed starter or substitute.
Who will need to step up
With Messi sidelined, Inter Miami will rely on their other stars to lead the charge: Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul. The club is well aware that advancing beyond the quarterfinals in a tournament that already includes single-elimination stakes will hinge on collective performance and depth.
Competition context
– The Leagues Cup has eight teams remaining, with four advancing to the semifinals after Wednesday’s slate of quarterfinals. Inter Miami and Messi were the inaugural Leagues Cup champions in 2023.
– Inter Miami’s opponent, Tigres UANL, is looking to complicate the home side’s bid for a deep run.
Key details for the match
– Is Messi playing tonight? No.
– Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Tigres UANL: Messi was not listed as a starter or substitute.
– Kickoff time: August 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. in Argentina).
– TV and streaming: FS1 (English) and UniMás (Spanish); MLS Season Pass via Apple TV for live streaming.
– Betting odds (per BETMGM): Inter Miami +115, Tie +240, Tigres +165, with an over/under of 3.5 goals.
Other Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday
– Orlando City vs. Toluca at 9:00 p.m. ET
– Seattle Sounders vs. Puebla at 11:00 p.m. ET
– LA Galaxy vs. Pachuca at 11:45 p.m. ET
Messi’s schedule and next steps
– Aug. 23: Inter Miami at D.C. United (MLS)
– Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
– Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
– Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)
– Sept. 4 and Sept. 9: Argentina World Cup qualifying matches (home vs. Venezuela and away vs. Ecuador)
– Sept. 13: Charlotte FC at Inter Miami (MLS)
Context and outlook
Messi’s absence heightens the spotlight on Inter Miami’s supporting cast and tactical approach. Suárez, Alba, Busquets and De Paul have shown talent and experience that can propel the team through a tough knockout stage. The Leagues Cup title, won by Inter Miami in 2023, remains a target, and a win over Tigres could keep momentum alive as the team navigate both league play and international duties ahead.
Summary
Inter Miami will attempt to advance without Messi in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal showdown against Tigres UANL. The match continues to showcase the club’s depth and the potential of its other stars, with fans watching closely to see how the team adapts tactically and mentally in Messi’s absence.
Positive note
Even with Messi sidelined for this game, the opportunity to showcase depth and resilience could energize Inter Miami for the rest of the season, building momentum as they pursue a deep cup run and important MLS results.