If Lionel Messi returns from his injury in the Leagues Cup, he will face the problem that Gerardo Martino revealed for Inter Miami.
The return seems to be getting closer. Lionel Messi took the first big step towards returning from the right ankle injury he suffered in the 2024 Copa América final by removing the protective boot he was wearing. However, Leo would have to face a problem on his return to Inter Miami that coach Gerardo Martino made public .
Everything was written for Messi to be one of the figures in the match against Colombia on July 14, 2024, but the state of the field at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was one of the reasons why the Argentine player’s ankle bent in such a way that it ended up being a ligament injury in that area .
With Leo Messi absent, Inter Miami began the path to defend their title in the 2024 Leagues Cup . Puebla was not a major obstacle and with a 2-0 victory they qualified for the round of 32. However, in the following match the North American team lost against Tigres and began to open the door to the problem that the team captain could face.
In a match that had seven goals, one expulsion, two penalty kicks and a thousand and one emotions that Lionel Messi watched from a box at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami beat Toronto FC by four to three and qualified for the round of 16 of the 2024 Leagues Cup . At this stage, they already have a rival and the pink club will have to play against one of the best teams in the MLS .
Messi will not play against Columbus Crew on Tuesday, August 13 at 19:30 ET (20:30 ARG) in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup, which, for now, has avoided the problem that Gerardo Martino revealed . However, if Inter Miami continues to advance in the tournament and does not face a team from Mexico until the final , it will be inevitable that Leo plays in a dangerous scenario, sportingly speaking.
Martino revealed the problem Messi would have on his return to Inter Miami
“Columbus is the best team in the league, but by far, and we have to go play at their home (…) I think that in the final, as long as we don’t get drawn against a Mexican team that we can return home to, we will be making our decisions away from home and that is always dangerous , ” Martino said at a press conference. Will Lionel Messi have to return to the game as a visitor in a knockout match? The Leagues Cup schedule and Inter Miami’s performance will dictate the decision.
Inter Miami’s path to getting the money that the 2024 Leagues Cup champion earns
If Inter Miami beats Columbus Crew and qualifies for the quarterfinals , they will face the winner of the tie between Tigres and New York City. At the top of the draw, FC Cincinnati plays against Philadelphia Union and Mazatlán faces Cruz Azul. From these two draws, the hypothetical rival of the pink team in the semifinals would emerge, being just one game away from competing for the $2 million dollars that the 2024 Leagues Cup champion earns.
