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55m ago

Messi a Game-Day Call as Inter Miami Hosts Orlando City in Leagues Cup Semifinal

Final clearance on Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will come at lineup release after both trained this week, with assistant Javier Morales in charge due to Javier Mascherano’s suspension.

Inter Miami players celebrate a goal against Tigres in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal.
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Lionel Messi could return to action in the Leagues Cup semifinal.
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Overview

  • Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with streaming on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass.
  • The winner reaches Sunday’s final and clinches a 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berth, while the loser can still qualify through the third-place game.
  • Messi, nursing a right hamstring issue, and Alba, recovering from a knee knock, completed recent sessions and will be game-day decisions confirmed about an hour before kickoff.
  • Mascherano is suspended after a red card in the Tigres quarterfinal, leaving Morales to manage Inter Miami for the derby.
  • Orlando has outscored Miami 7-1 across two MLS meetings this season, entering after a 5-1 loss at Nashville; Miami drew 1-1 at D.C. United and previously beat Tigres without Messi.