Messi Injured, But Suarez and De Paul Fire Inter Miami into Leagues Cup Quarter-Finals

Inter Miami’s latest Leagues Cup match brought mixed emotions for fans as star forward Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury in just the eighth minute, forcing him to leave the field early. The Argentine captain’s exit sent shockwaves across the stadium, especially with his family watching from the stands. Although the severity of the injury is still being assessed, the club has confirmed that Messi will miss several upcoming matches. The exact duration of his absence is yet to be determined, leaving fans uncertain and concerned about his return timeline. However, despite losing their most influential player early in the game, Inter Miami rallied together and delivered an emphatic 3-1 win over Mexican giants Pumas to advance to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup.

The victory was spearheaded by two other prominent names from Argentina and Uruguay — Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. Both players stepped up brilliantly in Messi’s absence. Though Pumas shocked Miami by taking the lead in the 34th minute through a sharp counterattack finished by Jorge Ruvalcaba, the momentum of the game quickly shifted. Just before halftime, Rodrigo De Paul responded with a powerful equalizer, scoring in only his second MLS match after joining from Atletico Madrid. The goal was a confidence booster not only for him but also for the entire team that looked momentarily shaken after Messi's departure.

The second half belonged to Luis Suarez. The former Barcelona and Uruguay striker dominated the field with his clever movements and clinical finishing. In the 59th minute, Suarez capitalized on a penalty opportunity after Pumas defender Telasco Segovia fouled inside the box. The spot-kick was taken with signature Suarez flair — a cool combination of a Panenka and chip that left the Pumas goalkeeper completely outwitted. That goal gave Miami the lead for the first time in the match, electrifying the home crowd.

But Suarez wasn’t done yet. In the 70th minute, he linked up brilliantly with Tadeo Allende, delivering a well-weighted pass from the defensive third that Allende converted from close range. That goal sealed the match for Miami, making it 3-1 and effectively knocking the wind out of Pumas’ sails. Although Benjamin Cremaschi and Allende had further chances to increase the lead late in the game, their missed opportunities didn’t hurt Miami’s result.

Javier Mascherano, Miami’s coach and another former Argentina international, deserves credit for guiding his team through the emotional and tactical challenge of losing Messi early. His substitutions, formation adjustments, and motivation on the sideline were vital in keeping the squad focused. The combination of De Paul’s energy and Suarez’s experience was crucial in maintaining composure and delivering goals at key moments.

While Messi's absence will undoubtedly be felt in the coming matches, Inter Miami has shown that they are not a one-man team. The chemistry among the South American stars — particularly De Paul and Suarez — could help the team navigate through the rest of the tournament successfully. Moreover, the performance of youngsters like Tadeo Allende and Cremaschi signals a bright future for the squad, even beyond the Messi era.

Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Pumas not only secures them a place in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals but also sends a strong message to their opponents. With Messi sidelined, the pressure will be on other stars to deliver — and based on this performance, they seem more than capable. Now, all eyes are on Messi’s recovery timeline, but in the meantime, Miami fans can take comfort in their team’s fighting spirit and squad depth.