
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi will miss the team's Leagues Cup match on Wednesday against Pumas UNAM due to injury. Messi suffered a"minor" muscle injuryin his right leg and was subbed out in the 11th minute of Saturday's win against Necaxa. Mascheranodescribed Messi's injury as "discomfort"following the match and told reporters that he would undergo further testing. 🚨 Watch: The challenge which caused the injury to Lionel Messi.How bad does this look?pic.twitter.com/7JyG0y1ocM — Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub)August 2, 2025 On Tuesday, Mascherano told reporters that "within the bad news, it's good news." [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] "We don't like to estimate a return, especially in Leo's [case]," Mascherano said,via ESPN. "He usually recovers very well from injuries and above all, normally does with speed. So we will see, but clearly for tomorrow he is unavailable. But then we will see how he feels, how he progresses." Inter Miami wraps up Phase One of Leagues Cup against Pumas and has earned five points after two matches with a regulation win and a victory after penalty kicks. The top four teams in both the MLS and Liga MX tables will advance to the knockout portion of the tournament. The Herons must win on Wednesday to have a chance to move on and would next play Aug. 19 or 20. Should Inter Miami fail to advance, they will resume their MLS schedule on Sunday against Orlando City.