Inter Miami is on the brink of elimination from the 2026 Leagues Cup as they need to win to finish in the top four positions of the MLS Leagues Cup table.
Inter Miami needs to beat Club Leon tonight and hope that multiple MLS teams lose in order to finish in the top four positions to advance to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.
The MLS champions will have to do it without Lionel Messi from the start. Messi missed the previous match following the tragic news of his father passing away. Messi traveled to Rosario, Argentina, to be with his family during these difficult times.
Messi's last appearance for Inter Miami was last week against Atletico San Luis, where he scored a brace in the team's 4-2 win.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
Why Is Lionel Messi Not Starting?
Lionel Messi has reportedly traveled back to Miami from Rosario, Argentina, and he is listed on the Inter Miami squad. Messi is on the bench, but he is not starting as he just returned to Miami.
However, Messi could get minutes as Inter Miami are in need of a win by four goals. Messi and Inter Miami reached the Leagues Cup Final last year and their goal is to reach the final again.
Inter Miami's next game after Club Leon will be in the MLS against Nashville at GEODIS Park this Saturday. After that, Inter Miami will travel to Philadelphia to play the Philadelphia Union on August 19, 2026.
