Messi won’t play for Miami vs Columbus in League Cup

On Monday, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino ruled out Lionel Messi for Tuesday’s Leagues Cup playoff match at reigning MLS champion Columbus. Messi is out after injuring his right ankle in Argentina’s 1-0 Copa America final win against Colombia a month ago. Messi hasn’t trained with Miami since escaping a walking boot. Messi helped Miami win the inaugural Leagues Cup with MLS and Liga MX Mexican clubs last year.

The battle between last year’s MLS champion Columbus Crew and this year’s league leader Miami is one of eight matches on Monday and Tuesday that will determine Friday and Saturday quarterfinal pairings. The Seattle Sounders host Mexico’s Pumas on Monday in the round of 16. Seattle won the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final over Pumas.

On Tuesday, Philadelphia plays Cincinnati, Cruz Azul plays Mazatlan, Tigres plays New York City, Toluca plays Colorado, Club America plays St. Louis, and San Jose plays Los Angeles FC in knockout