Will Lionel Messi play vs Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup game? An update on Inter Miami star
For the second time this year, the Crew will be facing an Inter Miami team without Lionel Messi, with the star forward ruled out for Tuesday's Leagues Cup round of 16 match.
Messi has missed five games for Miami since the end of his and the Argentina national team's run in the Copa America tournament. Playing in the tournament final on July 14, Messi suffered a right ankle injury, which has kept him sidelined in MLS play.
When the Crew and Miami had their first meeting on June 19, in which Columbus dropped 2-1, Messi and striker Luis Suarez were unavailable for Miami as they had departed for Copa America training with their respective national teams. Suarez and Messi also missed the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus on July 24 due to the ankle injury and Suarez dealing with knee discomfort.
Suarez has returned to play for Miami since the start of its Leagues Cup run on July 27. And despite missing its captain in Messi, Miami has gone 2-1 in the tournament, falling to Tigres 2-1 in the group stage and most recently defeating Toronto FC 4-3 with only 10 men following a David Martinez red card.
Last season, Miami won the inaugural Leagues Cup with Messi during his debut matches in MLS. The Crew were knocked out during the round of 32.
The Crew and Miami are set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Lower.com Field, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Lionel Messi out Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew Leagues Cup games
