Lionel Messis Fitness Race Ahead of Leagues Cup Semifinal

Lionel Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando City remains uncertain after missing the Tigres quarterfinal and DC United MLS draw due to a right leg injury. Assistant coach Javier Morales confirmed Messi and Jordi Alba trained fully, with final decisions set on match day. Orlando leads this season’s head-to-head 7-1.

As the Leagues Cup semifinal approaches, all eyes are on Lionel Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s high-stakes clash against Orlando City. The 38-year-old Argentine missed the quarterfinal win over Tigres due to a minor right leg muscle injury and also sat out Miami’s MLS draw at DC United. However, Messi returned to full training alongside Jordi Alba this week, raising hopes of his inclusion. Assistant coach Javier Morales called his participation in practice “super positive” and suggested he is likely to be named in the squad.

Alba, who picked up a knee injury against Tigres, also trained with the team and will undergo late fitness checks. Miami will be without head coach Javier Mascherano, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the Tigres match. The semifinal holds added intensity, as Orlando have dominated this fixture recently, winning both encounters this season with an aggregate score of 7-1, including a commanding 4-1 victory earlier in August.

Orlando coach Oscar Pareja, however, insisted his team’s mindset remains unchanged heading into what Morales described as “the most important clasico so far.” The winner will advance to Sunday’s final against either Los Angeles Galaxy or Seattle Sounders, with Miami aiming to defend the Leagues Cup title Messi helped secure in 2023.