Inter Miami face the challenge of competing in the 2025 Leagues Cup without Lionel Messi, who suffered an injury against Necaxa. However, Rodrigo De Paul — a fellow Argentine and the club’s new signing — delivered by scoring his first goal for the team against Pumas UNAM.
Inter Miami had earned a dramatic win over Atlas in their opener and then prevailed in a penalty shootout against Necaxa. However, the Herons entered this decisive match without their leader, who was sidelined after suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg.
To secure a spot in the quarterfinals, Mascherano’s team needed a win in regulation. Alternatively, a victory via penalties could also send them through, though that outcome would hinge on other results. A defeat, in any case, would eliminate them from the tournament.
After the Herons fell behind by one goal to the Mexican side, Luis Suarez sent a precise cross into the box, which De Paul controlled and converted to level the score just before halftime.
When could Messi return for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Pumas UNAM about the estimated recovery timeline for Lionel Messi’s return.
The club had previously limited itself to saying that “his medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment,” but the coach went further, pointing to the Argentine star’s proven ability to bounce back from injuries throughout his career.
“Yesterday I spoke with him. The club’s statement was very clear. It’s a mild injury. Within the bad news, that’s a good sign. We know the noise that always surrounds Leo whenever he misses a game, and that’s why we don’t like to set exact timelines,” Mascherano explained.
He then offered slightly more concrete hints about the expected recovery: “He’s quite special in this regard — he tends to recover well from injuries and usually does so quickly. Clearly, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s match, but from there we’ll see how he feels and how he progresses with the different tests carried out by the medical staff. Once he’s ready, he’ll rejoin us,” he added.
