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Lionel Messi did not feature for Inter Miami in the third round of the Leagues Cup, missing the 4–1 loss to Orlando City. He returned against LA Galaxy, but manager Javier Mascherano may have rushed his comeback, as Messi was not seen training with the squad on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming Leagues Cup clash with Tigres.
Specialists and fans have expressed concern over Messi’s health, especially considering the congested July schedule, in which he played every match until suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg during the second game of the competition against Necaxa.
Messi came off the bench in the second half against LA Galaxy, but doubts remain. With him missing from team training before the Tigres match, questions arose about whether Mascherano pushed him back into action too quickly.
In his pre-game press conference, Mascherano addressed Messi’s status:
"Messi didn’t train with the group today, working separately instead. As I mentioned after the match, he didn’t feel comfortable in those 45 minutes he played. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow — he’s not ruled out, and it will depend on how he feels." - Mascherano said.
For now, Messi is expected to be available against Tigres, though whether he starts or comes off the bench remains uncertain. During the two matches he missed, Inter Miami struggled to adapt their playing style — with poor results in MLS, though they managed a more balanced approach in the Leagues Cup.
Mascherano adjusted by moving Rodrigo De Paul into a more advanced role behind Luis Suárez in a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Sergio Busquets on the right and Yannick Bright on the left of midfield. De Paul was asked to play more aggressively than usual, focusing on filling attacking spaces while being relieved of some defensive duties against Pumas and Orlando City.
When Messi returned, De Paul remained a key figure in attack but carried less pressure, as the Argentine star once again became the focal point in the win over LA Galaxy.
Looking ahead, Tigres pose a major threat with their attacking duo of Ángel Correa and André-Pierre Gignac. This could force Inter Miami into a more cautious approach until Messi is ready to enter the match. If he plays, Miami’s chances improve significantly. If not, Mascherano will have to find another way to keep their League's Cup hopes alive.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Continue reading...
Specialists and fans have expressed concern over Messi’s health, especially considering the congested July schedule, in which he played every match until suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg during the second game of the competition against Necaxa.
Messi came off the bench in the second half against LA Galaxy, but doubts remain. With him missing from team training before the Tigres match, questions arose about whether Mascherano pushed him back into action too quickly.
In his pre-game press conference, Mascherano addressed Messi’s status:
"Messi didn’t train with the group today, working separately instead. As I mentioned after the match, he didn’t feel comfortable in those 45 minutes he played. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow — he’s not ruled out, and it will depend on how he feels." - Mascherano said.
Could Inter Miami lose if Messi doesn’t play?
For now, Messi is expected to be available against Tigres, though whether he starts or comes off the bench remains uncertain. During the two matches he missed, Inter Miami struggled to adapt their playing style — with poor results in MLS, though they managed a more balanced approach in the Leagues Cup.
Mascherano adjusted by moving Rodrigo De Paul into a more advanced role behind Luis Suárez in a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Sergio Busquets on the right and Yannick Bright on the left of midfield. De Paul was asked to play more aggressively than usual, focusing on filling attacking spaces while being relieved of some defensive duties against Pumas and Orlando City.
When Messi returned, De Paul remained a key figure in attack but carried less pressure, as the Argentine star once again became the focal point in the win over LA Galaxy.
Looking ahead, Tigres pose a major threat with their attacking duo of Ángel Correa and André-Pierre Gignac. This could force Inter Miami into a more cautious approach until Messi is ready to enter the match. If he plays, Miami’s chances improve significantly. If not, Mascherano will have to find another way to keep their League's Cup hopes alive.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Continue reading...
