I want to clarify the situation about the Inter Miami vs. Tigres match on August 20, 2025. My research is thorough. Let me write the news report based on the confirmed information available:

Inter Miami Set to Face Tigres in Crucial Leagues Cup Quarterfinal Without Lionel Messi

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Inter Miami CF faces Tigres UANL tonight in a key Leagues Cup quarterfinal at Chase Stadium. However, they will miss their top player, Lionel Messi, who is out due to injury./strong>.

Messi Sidelined by Persistent Muscle Injury

The Argentine superstar is facing a “minor” right hamstring injury. This has been an issue since the early part of the Leagues Cup. Messi got hurt in Inter Miami’s group stage match against Necaxa on August 2. He had to leave the field in the 11th minute.

Messi missed the matches against Pumas UNAM and Orlando City SC. He came back as a second-half substitute against LA Galaxy on Saturday. In 45 minutes, he scored one goal and added one assist. Head coach Javier Mascherano said the World Cup winner was “not 100 percent comfortable” after that match.

In the days leading up to tonight’s key quarterfinal, Messi trained on his own. This has caused worries about whether he will be able to play. Mascherano said earlier that Messi was “not ruled out.” However, the club confirmed today that the 37-year-old came to Chase Stadium in street clothes. He will watch from the stands.

High Stakes Quarterfinal Showdown

Tonight’s match is a turning point for both teams. Only eight clubs are still in this top tournament. For Inter Miami, a win would mean reaching the semifinals. It would also ensure they host the next round. If LA Galaxy fails to reach the final, the Herons would also host the championship match.

The stakes are equally high for the visiting Mexican side. Tigres UANL is in Fort Lauderdale. They are the only Liga MX team that can be the first Mexican club to win the Leagues Cup trophy. Tigres, with Ángel Correa from Argentina leading the way, aims to upset Inter Miami. Correa has four goals, putting him in a tie for the Golden Boot. They want to derail Miami’s hopes for a championship.

Team Form and Recent History

Inter Miami is on a roll. They’ve won four of their last five matches in all competitions. This includes wins in all three of their Leagues Cup group stage games. The Herons have the best tournament record, with 12 wins and 2 losses. One of those losses was to tonight’s opponents.

Tigres has a psychological edge. They beat Inter Miami 2-1 in last year’s group stage. The game was decided when Juan Vigón scored in the 84th minute. The Mexican club won’t have the neutral venue advantage they had in Houston last year. Instead, they face the tough challenge of playing at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami has a 10-game unbeaten streak there.

Tactical Implications Without Messi

Without their key captain, Inter Miami will count on the experience of Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba./strong>. Rodrigo De Paul is a key player in this tournament. He has one goal and two assists in three matches.

For Tigres, Messi’s absence is a chance to stick to their game plan. They won’t need to worry about one of the best players in the world. The Mexican team will try to take advantage of any changes Miami makes without their superstar.

Tournament Context

This quarterfinal match is more than just a game. It’s a fight for supremacy between MLS and Liga MX, with pride at stake. Inter Miami, the 2023 Leagues Cup champions, wants to reclaim their trophy. Tigres, on the other hand, hopes to be the first Mexican team to win it.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM EDT and will be broadcast live on FS1 and MLS Season Pass on Apple TV./strong>. Both teams are just three wins away from the trophy. Tonight’s match could be a key moment in the 2025 Leagues Cup.

As Inter Miami prepares to play without their top star, the big question is: can the team’s talent step up without Lionel Messi and keep their championship hopes alive?