Messi sidelined for Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Pumas

Football icon Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami’s upcoming Leagues Cup clash against Pumas UNAM due to a minor injury. According to his coach, the Argentine star forward has sustained a slight muscle strain and will need some time to fully recover before returning to action.

Messi picked up the injury—described by coach Javier Mascherano as a “minor muscle issue” in his upper right leg—during Miami’s recent victory over Necaxa.

While no official timeline has been set for his return, Mascherano expressed optimism that Messi will be back on the field soon.

“Considering the circumstances, it’s still relatively good news,” he 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.

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