Inter Miami will play their first match of the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament against Liga MX side Atlas tonight (July 30) at Chase Stadium. After Lionel Messi missed the goalless draw with Cincinnati due to a suspension for skipping the MLS All-Star Game, the Argentine star will return to the pitch.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said that Messi was ready to play, even joking about the suspension. āIf they donāt suspend him, then yes. Heās going to be available unless thereās a suspension,ā he said in a press conference on July 29.
āLetās hope heās super motivated,ā Mascherano added, explaining that the break was āin a way, good for himā ahead of Miamiās tight upcoming schedule. The draw with Cincinnati marked Messiās first match off since April 27.
The World Cup champion played 22 of Miamiās last 23 matches, including games in the MLS regular season, Concacaf Champions Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. In total, Messi has played 29 matches in 2025, scoring 24 goals.
Lionel Messi won the 2023 Leagues Cup title with Inter Miami (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Messi has fond memories of the Leagues Cup, having played a key role in Inter Miamiās 2023 title win shortly after his arrival. It was the clubās first trophy and remains one of their major objectives this year.
see also
Champions League winner who beat Lionel Messi in World Cup final set to compete against Inter Miami star in MLS
Miamiās Leagues Cup pathway
This year, the tournament features a new format. In Phase One, Miami will play three matches within a week. After facing Atlas, the Herons will take on Necaxa (Aug. 2) and Pumas UNAM (Aug. 6).
To advance to the quarterfinals, Miami must finish in the top four of the MLS table. On the bright side, all of their Phase One matches will be played at Chase Stadium. Leagues Cup will be broadcast on Apple TV+ through MLS Season Pass.
