Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascano, announced that Lionel Messi will not be making the trip to face Orlando City on Sunday night at Inter & Co Stadium, citing the considerable risks involved for players with his demanding schedule.
Messi suffered “minor” muscle damage in his right leg during a League Cup match against Nekakisa on August 2, which has sidelined him. There is currently no determined timeline for his return, as the club’s updates on his recovery will depend on how he responds to treatment.
“No, Leo will not be available tomorrow,” Mascherano stated on Saturday. “Leo is doing fine, but it would be reckless to risk taking him to Orlando.”
Inter Miami will face Orlando City on Sunday before hosting LA Galaxy on August 16, with the League Cup quarterfinals scheduled just three days later.
Despite this setback, Inter Miami secured a place in the knockout stage of the League Cup by earning eight points in the group stage, finishing second in the table. They won matches against Pumas and Atlas, and managed a draw against Nekakisa, ultimately advancing with a penalty shootout that propelled them into the quarterfinals.
Inter Miami’s next challenge will be against Tigres UANL on August 20th. “Tigres is a formidable team. They demonstrated against Puebla that they possess players of high caliber who consistently compete on significant stages both domestically and internationally,” Mascherano acknowledged.
“However, in tournaments like these, it’s often beyond our control how far we can go,” he added.
“We did what we could to qualify. We may not have finished first, but now our focus is on our two upcoming MLS matches before turning our attention to the League Cup,” Mascherano explained, emphasizing the need to prioritize player health while striving for victory.
“We aim to win each game. Finishing the regular season in first place could offer playoff benefits, though last year’s experience showed that home advantage isn’t everything,” he said. “Our goal is to approach the remaining 12 MLS games with the intention of winning each one, while also competing aggressively in the League Cup. Winning every game is the expectation and responsibility at this club.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing challenges of managing player fitness in high-stakes competitions. Messi’s absence could impact Inter Miami’s performance, raising questions about how star players influence team dynamics and fan engagement in the MLS.
