Football General Manager
- Messi and Alba return after serving a one-match suspension
- Inter Miami will also face Necaxa and Pumas in the group stage
- Club aiming for its second international title
A new edition of the Leagues Cup is set to begin, and for Inter Miami, it presents another chance to add to their growing list of achievements. The club lifted the trophy in 2023 and now sees this tournament as the first of three major titles still within reach during a demanding season that has been underway since February.
Ahead of their debut against Atlas, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that things are “back to normal,” with both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba set to start on Wednesday.
“Yes, unless they get penalized again,” Mascherano joked. He then spoke seriously about Messi’s condition: “He was forced to rest after many consecutive games. The break did him good. Now he’s starting another marathon of matches, and hopefully a bit fresher.”
Mascherano also addressed the situation with Rodrigo De Paul, the team’s high-profile new signing. While he is expected to join the squad soon, the Argentine midfielder has not yet received his work visa.
“De Paul is not training with us yet – he’s working separately. Once he gets his paperwork in order, he’ll join the group sessions,” Mascherano confirmed.
,
Mascherano believes Inter Miami is poised for a strong showing in the Leagues Cup, following their impressive performances in the Club World Cup, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and recent MLS matches. With Messi leading the way, The Herons are considered one of the favorites to win the tournament.
“We had very good runs in both the CONCACAF competitions and the Club World Cup. In the Champions Cup, we were just one step away from reaching the final. The goal is to maintain that same momentum. Obviously, it won’t be easy because the new Leagues Cup format gives you fewer chances to advance, but that’s part of the challenge,” said Mascherano.
,
The Jefecito made it clear that Inter Miami’s objective is to go deep in the competition.
“It’s a tournament designed to pit MLS teams against Liga MX clubs, and recent editions have shown that MLS teams can compete toe-to-toe with the Mexican sides – and even win, as we’ve seen in the last two editions,” he said. “Our goal is to compete at the highest level. Playing at home is another advantage, and while Mexican football has teams with a lot of quality, I don’t think that’s an obstacle for us to aim high, qualify, and reach the top.”
The Herons will face Atlas Wednesday at Chase Stadium, followed by group stage matches against Necaxa and Pumas as they look to secure a spot in the next round.
