Matchday 3 will be crucial for the Herons, as Inter Miami’s future in the 2026 Leagues Cup will depend on whether they win, draw, or lose against Club Leon at Nu Stadium. Pending official confirmation, Lionel Messi is expected to be unavailable for this match following the recent passing of his father.
That said, Guillermo Hoyos’ attacking options are once again depleted by significant absences. It is worth noting that Luis Suarez will also miss this crucial game as he is still serving a six-match suspension.
With that in mind, this is the probable starting XI that the manager will field as he looks to secure qualification for the next round: Rocco Rios Novo; Facundo Mura, Ian Fray or Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Sergio Reguillon; Yannick Bright, Rodrigo de Paul, Casemiro, Telasco Segovia, Daniel Pinter, Lovens Delinois.
How do Inter Miami and Club Leon enter this match?
Heading into Matchday 3 of the 2026 Leagues Cup, Club Leon arrive in commanding position after securing consecutive victories in Phase One, most recently a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC, leaving them top of the standings with six points and a chance to lock up a Quarterfinal berth.
Lucas Ocampos #7 of Monterrey and Casemiro #5 of Inter Miami CF compete for the ball.
In contrast, Inter Miami enter in a high-stakes, must-win situation; after a 4-2 opening victory over Atletico de San Luis, the Herons suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to CF Monterrey courtesy of a 90th-minute winner.
Avoiding their first group-stage elimination
Inter Miami have never been eliminated in the group stage of the Leagues Cup. In the tournament’s inaugural expanded format in 2023, Lionel Messi and the Herons swept through the group stage and went on to win the entire competition.
They successfully sustained that streak through the 2024 and 2025 editions, navigating the opening phase to reach the knockout rounds and preserving a flawless record of progression past the group stage in every tournament appearance.
