Messi Sidelined as Inter Miami Win Opener

Lionel Messi remains sidelined with a right-ankle ligament injury sustained in Argentina’s Copa America final and is wearing a walking boot, with coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino ruling him out of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup opener against Puebla and offering no firm timetable for his return. Despite Messi’s absence — and with Luis Suárez managing knee inflammation — Miami took an early lead through Matías Rojas and secured a 2-0 win. Former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Suárez featured in the lineup, and Busquets has spoken fondly about reuniting with Messi at Inter Miami. The club also debuted reinforcement David Martínez and rested regular starter Drake Callender, underscoring squad depth as Miami defends its Leagues Cup title. Off the field, a viral photo showed Messi being side‑eyed by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo while he watched from the stands.