Lionel Messi is set to sit out Inter Miami’s pivotal Leagues Cup clash against Pumas UNAM, as confirmed by coach Javier Mascherano on Tuesday, citing a muscle concern.
The Argentinian forward experienced what Mascherano described as a “minor muscle injury” in his upper right leg during Miami’s victory against Necaxa last Saturday.
Although a timeline for Messi’s comeback remains unclear, Mascherano expressed optimism that the superstar would be back in action shortly.
“Amidst the challenging circumstances, there’s a silver lining,” Mascherano stated to the media.
“He typically bounces back from injuries with remarkable speed, so it will be interesting to see how this unfolds.” He won’t be in action for tomorrow’s match. We’ll have to monitor his condition closely and assess his development moving forward.
Messi, the standout performer with a league-leading 18 goals in MLS this season, propelled Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup in 2023, just after joining the Herons.
Inter Miami finds themselves in a crucial position as they head into their group stage finale against Pumas, where a victory is essential for advancing to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup, a tournament showcasing the best from MLS and the Mexican league.
If Miami advances to the knockout stages, Messi will have a crucial two-week window to recuperate ahead of the quarter-finals.
Miami is gearing up for an exciting MLS showdown this Sunday as they face off against Orlando.
