Inter Miami CF will face a significant test in their Leagues Cup title defense as they host Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL in a crucial quarterfinal match on Wednesday, August 20, without their superstar captain, Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward has been ruled out of the contest due to a nagging muscle injury, forcing the MLS side to rely on its other veteran stars to secure a spot in the semifinals.
The match is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Confirmation of Messi’s absence came when he was seen arriving at the stadium in street clothes and was subsequently not listed in the team’s starting lineup or on the substitute bench. According to reports from ESPN and USA TODAY, Messi is dealing with a right hamstring issue that he first sustained during a Leagues Cup group stage match against Necaxa on August 2.
After missing two games, Messi made a brief but impactful return on August 16 against the LA Galaxy, playing the second half and recording a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory. However, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano later confirmed that Messi felt uncomfortable during that appearance. In the days leading up to the quarterfinal, Messi trained separately from the team, and the club ultimately decided to sideline him for the high-stakes match against Tigres.
With Messi watching from the stands, the pressure now falls on the shoulders of his former Barcelona teammates: Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, along with fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul. Inter Miami, who won the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023, will need a collective effort to overcome a formidable opponent and keep their hopes of repeating as champions alive.
Tigres UANL will enter the match with confidence, not only due to Messi’s absence but also because of their history against Miami. The two clubs have met once before, in the 2024 Leagues Cup group stage, where Tigres secured a 2-1 victory. The Mexican side advanced to this year’s quarterfinals after finishing third in the Liga MX table during the group phase. They will be led by attacker Ángel Correa, who is tied as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, as noted by Inter Miami’s official site.
The stakes are incredibly high, as the winner will advance to the tournament semifinals. Furthermore, the top three finishers in the Leagues Cup earn coveted spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Despite missing their best player, betting odds from various sportsbooks show Inter Miami as a slight favorite at home.
Fans can watch the match in the United States on FS1 in English and UniMás in Spanish. It will also be available for streaming globally on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. The winner will move one step closer to the final, which is scheduled for August 31.
