Messi with eyes set on Tigres

With eight days to go before the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals, Lionel Messi has stepped up his physical workload with Inter Miami, aiming to be ready to face Tigres on August 20. The match will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday August 20th and will decide who advances to the tournament’s semifinals.

According to Miami media reports, the Argentine star’s hamstring injury in his right leg was mild, bringing relief to Javier Mascherano. The issue arose just seven minutes into the match against Necaxa, when Messi felt discomfort in the back of his thigh and had to leave the field prematurely.

Caution before the Galaxy

Following that incident, Mascherano chose not to include him in the squad for the match against Orlando City, which ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Herons. Now, the coach is weighing whether to give him some minutes off the bench against LA Galaxy this weekend or rest him completely.

The priority is clear: avoid risking his recovery ahead of the clash with Tigres. Inter Miami will have a full week of training to get Messi in optimal condition and secure his presence in what could be the most important match of their season so far.

Individual work and optimism

Messi has been training without setbacks on his own, adjusting workloads and preparing for a gradual return to full team sessions. The plan is for him to reintegrate with the squad progressively, building match rhythm without rushing the process.

All signs point to the Argentine being Inter Miami’s main attacking weapon against Tigres, in a match that could decide not only their place in the semifinals but also provide a huge morale boost heading into the final stretch of the Leagues Cup.