FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi will not play as Inter Miami hosts Tigres UANL in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Messi, who is dealing with a nagging right hamstring injury, stepped off the team bus before the match in street clothes while his Inter Miami teammates were dressed in team apparel. Messi’s lack of availability was confirmed when Inter Miami announced its starting lineup before the match.
Messi was first injured during a Leagues Cup match on Aug. 2 and appeared to reaggravate the injury in an Aug. 16 MLS match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not rule out Messi one day prior when he said Messi trained separately from teammates before the Leagues Cup quarterfinal.
If Inter Miami plans to advance in the Leagues Cup, they’ll have to depend on other stars like Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul against Tigres.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Inter Miami-Tigres match:
Watch Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass
Inter Miami 1, Tigres 0: Luis Suarez scores penalty kick
Luis Suarez has scored in the 23rd minute, converting on a penalty kick to help Inter Miami take a 1-0 lead against Tigres. The penalty was granted after Tigres defender Javier Aquino was called for a handball while defending Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba in the 20th minute.
Is Messi playing tonight?
No, Messi will not play tonight.
Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Tigres UANL
Messi was not listed as a starter or substitute in Inter Miami’s lineup for the match against Tigres.
What time is the Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL Leagues Cup match?
The match is Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL Leagues Cup match on TV?
The match will be available on FS1 in English, and UniMás in Spanish.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL match on live stream?
The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, and the Apple TV+ channel.
Here are the other Leagues Cup quarterfinal matches
Orlando City vs. Toluca,9 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)
Seattle Sounders vs. Puebla, 11 p.m. ET (FS1 and UniMás on TV in the U.S.; MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)
L.A. Galaxy vs. Pachuca, 11:45 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)
Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL betting odds
Inter Miami is a slight favorite at home during regulation, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: +115
Tie: +240
Tigres: +165
Over/under: 3.5 goals
Messi’s last match in Argentina? Here’s what we know
Argentina will host Venezuela on Sept. 4 at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, then visit Ecuador on Sept. 9.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi, 38, has not yet declared he will play in the World Cup.
Messi upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina
Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)
Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
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