Inter Miami take on Toronto tonight in the first knockout game of this summer’s Leagues Cup, with the Herons favorites to go all the way.
The Florida franchise famously won the inaugural edition of the competition last year with Lionel Messi inspiring Inter Miami to their first-ever piece of silverware since being formed in 2019.
With Inter Miami’s manager confirming that Messi is out injured, though, the Chase Stadium side will likely have to go all the way without their star player this summer if they’re to retain their Leagues Cup title.
And MLS legend Sacha Kljestan has shared if he thinks Inter Miami can go all the way without Messi.
Clik here to view.
Inter Miami tipped to win Leagues Cup despite Messi’s injury
Speaking to MLS’s official website, the former USA international gave his support behind Inter Miami reclaiming their title even with Messi likely to miss the entire competition due to an ankle injury.
The Herons have been in fantastic form since Messi last played for Inter Miami at the start of June, and Kljestan now thinks the Florida franchise have enough quality and depth in their squad to make a real go of winning this summer’s Leagues Cup.
Kljestan said on Inter Miami’s title chances: “The reigning Leagues Cup champs have the roster to go back-to-back in this competition. Even with Lionel Messi out injured, Miami have the deepest roster among the MLS teams.
“Look for veterans Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez to lead the way. But the supporting cast can also make waves, including Diego Gomez as he returns from the Olympics. Miami have proven they can win in knockout tournaments and have quality to go the distance.”
Clik here to view.
Herons can go all the way in Leagues Cup this summer
Messi’s absence has been a big blow for Inter Miami, but as previous results have shown, the Herons have finally cracked the code on how to win convincingly without their star forward.
And with Inter Miami on a favorable side of the Leagues Cup bracket, the Florida side could go all the way and reclaim their title if they can maintain their level of form in the last two months.
With Messi potentially back for the final rounds of Leagues Cup, Inter Miami just need to focus on their one job of going as far as they can, with the Argentine on the road back to recovery.
