Lionel Messi May Miss Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup Quarterfinal over Fitness Concerns
Lionel Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup quarterfinal match against Tigres UANL hangs in the balance due to a lingering muscle issue.
Coach Javier Mascherano revealed that Messi trained separately from his teammates on Tuesday, sparking concerns about his fitness.
Messi, 38, returned to action on Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy.
However, he appeared to be in physical discomfort during the game. Mascherano said, “Leo didn’t train with the group; he trained separately. He felt uncomfortable during the 45 minutes he played (on Saturday). We’ll see how he’s doing during the day and tomorrow, but he’s not ruled out.”
If Messi can’t play, Yannick Bright might fill the gap in attack, with Luis Suárez leading the charge. A possible lineup could feature Óscar Ustari in goal, Marcelo Weigandt, Gonzalo Luján, Maxi Falcón, and Jordi Alba in defense, Tadeo Allende, Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets, and Telasco Segovia in midfield, and Bright or Messi and Suárez upfront.
Inter Miami faces a tough challenge against Tigres UANL, a team with significant offensive power.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 pm ET and will be streamed live on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
