Messi to miss Inter Miami’s must-win game due to injury

MIAMI: Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi is set to miss Inter Miami’s crucial Leagues Cup match against Pumas because of a muscle injury, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on Tuesday.

The team needs a win to stay in the tournament, but they'll have to manage without their top goal-scorer for now.

The Argentinian striker suffered what Mascherano described as a “minor muscle injury” in his upper right leg during Miami’s win over Necaxa last Saturday.

While there is no set timetable for Messi’s return, Mascherano remained hopeful the star forward would be back on the pitch soon.

“Within the bad news, it’s good news,” Mascherano told reporters.

“He usually recovers very well from injuries and, above all, normally does so with speed, so we will see. But clearly, for tomorrow he is unavailable. Then we’ll see how he feels, how he progresses.”

Messi, who leads the league with 18 goals in MLS matches this season, helped guide Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after joining the Herons.

Inter Miami will likely need a win over Pumas in their final group stage match to reach the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, which includes teams from MLS and Mexico’s top division.

If Miami progress to the knockout stage, Messi would have two weeks to recover before the quarter-finals.

Miami’s next MLS fixture is scheduled for Sunday against Orlando.