Messi delivers bad news to Inter Miami

Messi is set to miss another game in a row because of a right hamstring injury, with his manager also confronting a ban following a red card.

Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi will not join Inter Miami for their away game against DC United this Sunday morning as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

This injury, sustained during the match against Necaxa in the Leagues Cup, has limited Messi to only 45 minutes of play in the last four Inter Miami matches. He has been training separately all week and was absent from the home team's victory over Tigres in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals earlier this week.

Mascherano also addressed his own suspension after being sent off in the match against Tigres. Cameras caught him using a mobile phone to communicate with his assistant from the stands, a controversial moment, but the coach insisted: "I did not break any rules."

As Inter Miami enters the critical phase of the 2025 season, the team's priority is to ensure Messi returns in optimal condition rather than risking further injury. Despite Messi's absence, Inter Miami secured a win against Tigres to advance to the Leagues Cup semifinals.

Leagues Cup officials also confirmed that Mascherano did not violate regulations by using a phone to talk to his assistant from the stands after being dismissed in Inter Miami's match versus Tigres.

Mascherano stated: "The reality is that the stands at our stadium are very close to the field, so I try to stay as close to the team as possible to support them. This has happened many times in football and will continue to happen. I did not break any rules—I could have sat in the owner's room. The team needs me near them. I will accept any consequences."

Currently, Inter Miami sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with 45 points and faces a crucial away challenge in Washington as they aim to solidify their playoff position.

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