Lionel Messi under the spotlight due to MLS decision ahead of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup campaign

Inter Miami have been focused in recent weeks on collecting as many points as possible in Major League Soccer to close the gap at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. However, starting next week, they’ll pause that pursuit to shift focus to the Leagues Cup. In that tournament, Lionel Messi will be the center of attention for an unusual reason.

The Herons will make their debut in the competition next Wednesday, July 30, facing Atlas from Mexico at Chase Stadium. Three days later, also at home, they will take on Necaxa. For that match, there will be a broadcast dedicated entirely to following Messi throughout the game.

According to AS, this will be part of a joint initiative between MLS, Apple TV (which holds the league’s broadcasting rights), and TikTok. Through that platform, users will be able to watch the “Player Spotlight Messi” live, ensuring they don’t miss a moment of what Leo does on the field.

This won’t be the first time Messi finds himself under the spotlight in this way, as a similar initiative took place last year during the MLS playoff series between Inter Miami and Atlanta United. On that occasion, more than 6 million people reportedly tuned in to watch the Argentine superstar. Building on that success, the plan now is to offer this feature during multiple matches this year as well.

Messi led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023.

Inter Miami’s schedule

Before shifting focus to the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami have one more MLS match ahead. It will take place this Saturday at Chase Stadium against Cincinnati, the team that defeated them 3-0 just a week ago. This matchup could prove crucial for the Herons, as their opponents are currently leading the Eastern Conference and hold a 7-point advantage, although they’ve played three more matches.

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Once that game is behind them, head coach Javier Mascherano will be able to fully focus on the Leagues Cup. Their debut will be Wednesday night in Miami against Atlas, who currently sit in fourth place in the Liga MX standings. Three days later, they’ll face Necaxa and then close out the initial stage against Pumas on Wednesday, August 6.

What is the format of the Leagues Cup?

This year marks the fifth edition of the Leagues Cup, and the format has evolved each season. This time, there are 36 participating clubs: all Liga MX teams and the top 18 from MLS 2024.

In the initial phase, each team will play three matches against opponents from the other league, with results counted in two standings tables—East and West. The top four teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, leading to the final between the last two clubs standing.

Unlike in past years, this edition features fewer teams, which will shorten the tournament’s duration. Starting from the quarterfinals, games will be played midweek. This scheduling will allow both domestic leagues to continue without disruption, avoiding calendar conflicts.