FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi won’t play in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM on Aug. 6, coach Javier Mascherano said a day before the game.
Messi, who Inter Miami announced has a minor muscle injury in his upper right leg, did not practice with teammates during their training session before their final Leagues Cup group match.
Mascherano did not divulge a timetable for Messi’s potential return, but said the club’s diagnosis of Messi’s injury is “good news.”
“He’s a special player, and he normally recovers from the injuries quickly,” Mascherano said. “Once he’s ready, he’ll come back.”
Inter Miami has a prime opportunity to advance to the Leagues Cup knockout stage with a win against Pumas.
They are in third place on the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table, where the top four clubs from MLS and Liga MX will advance to the quarterfinals.
However, they’ll have to do so without one of the greatest players of all time.
“This is a competition that brings very good memories for the club,” Mascherano said, referring to Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup title won shortly after Messi’s arrival to MLS. “We’ll try to play the best game that we can, and try to win the game.”
Watch Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass
When is Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM in Leagues Cup match?
The match is Wednesday, Aug. 6, and begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Pumas Leagues Cup match?
The match is available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing vs. Pumas UNAM?
No, Messi is not expected to play against Pumas.
What does Inter Miami need to advance in Leagues Cup?
The scenario is simple for Inter Miami without Messi: Win vs. Pumas, and they’ll advance to the quarterfinals (Aug. 19-20). Inter Miami would be among the Top 4 clubs in the MLS table to reach the knockout stage.
Any other result, and Inter Miami would need some help from the LIGA MX sides to beat their MLS counterparts to ensure a top-four finish in the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table.
How did Inter Miami get to this point in the Leagues Cup?
Inter Miami is third with five points in the MLS Leagues Cup standings, after a 2-1 win vs. Atlas on July 30, and a penalty shootout win vs. Necaxa on Aug. 2. They trail only the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers (six points each).
Inter Miami sits above a group of six other MLS clubs with four points in the standings: Minnesota, L.A. Galaxy, Columbus, Orlando City, Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls.
Inter Miami upcoming schedule
Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
Aug. 19 or 20: Leagues Cup quarterfinals (if applicable)
Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)