Messi, who has battled a “minor” muscle injury since a Leagues Cup group match against Necaxa on August 2nd, returned to Miami’s lineup Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.
However, the 38-year-old World Cup winner looked to be in physical discomfort during his second-half appearance, and he was not in the lineup announced before the clash in the cross-border club competition for teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Messi’s absence is a blow to Miami’s hopes of regaining the Leagues Cup title they won in 2023 during the Argentine icon’s fairytale first season in Major League Soccer.
Mascherano predicted a stiff test against Tigres, the eight-time Mexican champions, describing them as “a team with a lot of offensive power.”
Miami’s game with Tigres was one of four Leagues Cup quarter-finals set for Wednesday.
Mexico’s Toluca face Orlando City before Los Angeles Galaxy host Pachuca, while the Seattle Sounders take on Puebla at home.
