Messi Sidelined as Inter Miami Battles Tigres in Leagues Cup
The buzz around Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale was electric as Inter Miami hosted Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. But before a ball was even kicked, the biggest headline of the night had already been confirmed—Lionel Messi would not play. Fans hoping to see him in action were left disappointed as he arrived in street clothes, a clear signal that his lingering hamstring injury had sidelined him once again. The setback was first picked up earlier in the month and seemed to have flared up in Miami’s recent MLS clash with the LA Galaxy.
Inter Miami’s starting lineup was revealed without Messi’s name, meaning the Herons would have to find another way through a tough Tigres side. The responsibility naturally shifted to the team’s other veterans and former Barcelona stars—Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—who were expected to carry the load. And it didn’t take long for Suárez to make his mark. In the 23rd minute, he calmly slotted home a penalty after Tigres defender Javier Aquino was whistled for a handball. The goal put Miami ahead 1–0, igniting the home crowd.
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But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Head coach Javier Mascherano was shown a red card at halftime after heated arguments with the referee over stoppage time decisions. With Mascherano sent off, assistant coach Leandro Stillitano was left to direct the team from the sidelines for the remainder of the match. Adding to Miami’s concerns, Jordi Alba was forced off early in the second half after a knock to his leg, further testing the team’s depth in a high-pressure knockout game.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Only eight teams remain in the tournament, with four moving on to the semifinals. Inter Miami, who lifted the Leagues Cup trophy last year in 2023 with Messi leading the charge, is now fighting to defend that title without their talisman. Tigres, on the other hand, entered this matchup in strong form, having already beaten two MLS clubs earlier in the competition.
Viewers had multiple ways to tune in: FS1 carried the English broadcast, UniMás provided Spanish coverage, and Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass offered live streaming. Betting odds leaned slightly toward Miami at kickoff, but Tigres’ recent record meant the game was always going to be a tightly contested battle.
While Messi’s absence dominated pre-match talk, attention quickly turned to the grit and resilience of Inter Miami’s squad. With Suárez providing the breakthrough and the team holding firm despite coaching drama and injury setbacks, the Herons showed they’re more than just a one-man team. Still, questions linger about when Messi will return, as his health remains critical for both Miami’s season and Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
For now, the story of the night belonged to Miami’s ability to step up without their superstar, keeping their Leagues Cup hopes alive.
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