Messi shines light on Miami’s hopes

Inter Miami have been without their No. 10 since the clash against Necaxa at the start of the Leagues Cup, and his absence has been one of the tournament’s biggest talking points. Now, with a high-stakes quarterfinal against Tigres approaching, the spotlight is firmly on whether Messi will be fit in time to make his comeback.

The latest update came from none other than Javier Mascherano, who confirmed that Messi is nearly ready. “Leo is fine. In fact, he has been training with the team since Wednesday, and unless something strange happens, he will be in the squad for the match,” the former teammate and now Inter Miami coach explained, offering a dose of optimism for fans.

Positive news for Inter Miami

It’s not just Messi delivering good news. Mascherano also revealed that Rodrigo De Paul is available after resolving visa issues that delayed his return. “He needed to leave the country for paperwork reasons. It took a little longer than expected, but now he’s back in training and will be on the list,” Mascherano clarified.

While the final decision will rest on tactical choices and Messi’s condition in the hours leading up to the match, all signs point to the Argentine being ready. Training normally and regaining rhythm, he could feature both in the upcoming MLS match against LA Galaxy and in the crucial showdown with Tigres.

The showdown with Tigres

The Leagues Cup quarterfinal between Inter Miami and Tigres is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m. (ET). The match will be broadcast via Apple TV, the official platform of the tournament, in what could mark Messi’s highly anticipated return to competitive action.