NEW DELHI: Gerardo Martino, the head coach of Inter Miami, announced on Monday that Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, will not be available for the team's upcoming Leagues Cup knockout match against the reigning MLS champions, Columbus Crew, on Tuesday.
Messi continues to recover from a right ankle injury he sustained a month ago during Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final.
Since removing his walking boot, Messi has yet to participate in training sessions with his Miami teammates.
The Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring clubs from both MLS and Mexico's Liga MX, saw Messi play a crucial role in Miami's triumph in the inaugural edition last year.
The highly anticipated clash between the Columbus Crew, last season's MLS champions, and Miami, currently leading the league table, is one of eight matches that will determine the quarter-final matchups scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
In the opening match of the round of 16 on Monday, the Seattle Sounders hosted and convincingly defeated Mexican side Pumas with a 4-0 scoreline. Paul Rothrock opened the scoring for Seattle in the 32nd minute, heading home a cross from Albert Rusnak. Jordan Morris extended the Sounders' lead to 2-0 in the 58th minute, with Rusnak once again providing the assist. Rusnak, from Slovakia, converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute, and Morris added a final goal from the spot during stoppage time.
Seattle, having previously beaten Pumas in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final, will now host the winner of Tuesday's match between San Jose and Los Angeles FC in the next round.
Other knockout matches scheduled for Tuesday include Philadelphia facing Cincinnati, Cruz Azul taking on Mazatlan, Tigres battling New York City, Toluca visiting Colorado, and Club America playing against St. Louis.
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