Javier Mascherano confirms Lionel Messi's status for Inter Miami's Leagues Cup game vs Pumas UNAM

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has given an update on Lionel Messi’s status after the Argentine star suffered a muscle injury during the Herons’ showdown against Necaxa in the Leagues Cup.

“Clearly, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s match,” Mascherano said in Spanish during a press conference, according to a video posted by journalist Jose Armando Rodriguez on X. However, Mascherano is optimistic that Messi won’t be sidelined for long.

“The club released a statement that was very clear. It’s a minor injury. Considering the circumstances, it’s actually good news. We don’t like it—especially in Leo’s case—because we know the attention that always surrounds him whenever he misses a match,” he explained.

While he admitted they weren’t going to set “timelines” for recovery, Mascherano said that Messi is “a pretty unique player who tends to recover well from injuries, and usually does so quickly. So, we’ll monitor his progress through the different tests.”

Messi receiving medical attention on the pitch (Getty Images)

Messi had to leave the pitch just 10 minutes into the match. However, Miami’s official statement said that the World Cup champion had suffered a “minor muscle injury in his right leg,” and that his return would depend on how he responds to treatment.

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Miami to close Phase One of the Leagues Cup

After drawing 2–2 with Necaxa in their second match of Phase One of the Leagues Cup, Miami will close this first phase with a clash against Pumas UNAM at Chase Stadium. With five points, Miami are third in the MLS standings.

Before the injury, Messi had delivered a strong performance against Atlas, providing two assists to help the team win 2–1. With those, the Argentine star extended his record as the player with the most assists in professional matches.