How many Leagues Cup games will Lionel Messi miss?
- Lionel Messi suffered an ankle injury in the Copa America 2024 final
- Inter Miami has yet to give a definitive timeline of Messi's return
- The Herons begin their Leagues Cup title defense on July 27
Inter Miami's Leagues Cup title defense begins in less than a week, but the Herons might be without their captain, Lionel Messi, for a large portion of the competition.
Ahead of Leagues Cup 2024, Inter Miami sit atop the Eastern Conference of the MLS and will enter the tournament as one of the favorites to take home the trophy, earning what could be their second title in history. The Herons won the inaugural Leagues Cup last year, and there are high expectations to go back-to-back.
The match fitness of Lionel Messi, though, is a huge concern for the club. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to come off the pitch in the Copa America 2024 final after suffering a knock to his ankle. Although Inter Miami reported that they do not believe it is a long-term injury, they still did not hint at Messi's upcoming involvement in Leagues Cup 2024.
The competition's group stage is rapidly approaching, with the Herons first match coming on July 27 against Liga MX's Puebla, but will Lionel Messi be ready to play?
How many Leagues Cup games will Lionel Messi miss?
It is likely Lionel Messi will miss a handful, if not all, of Inter Miami's title defense at Leagues Cup 2024. The 37-year-old already sat out of the Herons' last two MLS matches, and will also likely not feature in the MLS All-Star Game.
Before Inter Miami kicked off against Chicago Fire on July 20, a limping Messi, wearing a boot, made an appearance at Chase Stadium alongside Jorge Mas as the Herons' co-owner led a celebration to commemorate his captain's 45th career title. The quick look at the player did nothing to silence the questions surrounding the severity of his injury.
Head coach, Tata Martino, has not given a definitive timetable for Messi's return, though, so in theory, Messi could represent his club at Leagues Cup toward the later half of the competition; after all, the final is not until Sunday, Aug. 25. Ultimately, risking Messi might not be worth it for the Herons in the long run as the club aims to make a deep run in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The good news for Inter Miami fans is the Herons have won six of their last seven games without Messi, and are in good shape to continue their winning form at Leagues Cup.