Messi Sidelined as Inter Miami Clinch Leagues Cup Knockouts with Convincing Win Over Pumas

• August 7, 2025
• C Badenhorst
• 0 Comments

Messi Benched but Inter Miami Dominate

If you tuned in to catch another Lionel Messi masterclass, you had to settle for scenes of him in street clothes, watching from the sidelines at Chase Stadium. Messi’s absence, due to a slight hamstring strain from that dramatic 2-2 draw with Necaxa a few days prior, left plenty of fans nervous. Coach Javier Mascherano—his longtime Argentina teammate—downplayed the issue, labeling it minor and talking up a quick return. Still, there was no taking chances with the club legend as Inter Miami faced off with Mexico’s Pumas UNAM in a high-stakes Leagues Cup group finale.

Despite the superstar’s spot in the stands, Inter Miami looked anything but lost. They did concede first, when Jorge Ruvalcaba stunned the home crowd with a well-placed strike in the 34th minute. But Messi’s old Barcelona mate, Luis Suárez, simply took charge. He set up Rodrigo De Paul to level things up before halftime, jolting some life—and noise—into the stadium. From there, Suárez showed why his arrival in Miami made such a splash: the Uruguayan’s finish put Miami ahead, then he orchestrated Tadeo Allende’s insurance goal, all but sealing the result at 3-1.

Depth on Display and Knockout Confidence

Inter Miami’s eighth point in three matches put them top of Group B, booking a spot in the Leagues Cup knockouts for the second year running. Last year, they lifted the trophy with Messi leading the line. The following season was a wakeup call, bowing out in the round of 16. This time, Miami looked more complete—even when their Lionel Messi safety net wasn’t available for the big night.

Mascherano, pacing energetically as usual, wouldn’t let the squad get swept up in the excitement. Rather than gushing about another quarterfinal trip, he was already talking about rediscovering focus: “This is the first objective, but it can’t change anything for us. Now our focus is on Sunday.” In other words, while the Leagues Cup matters, the grind of the Major League Soccer season calls just as loudly.

The Herons’ recent history shows progress—a champion’s medal in 2023, an abrupt exit in 2024, now another strong run toward a trophy. But if this match proved anything, it’s that Inter Miami can still pack a punch even when their Argentinian GOAT is nursing a tweak. And for opponents still hoping for a Messi-less Miami slip-up in the next round? Suárez and company just made those hopes look a little less likely.