Javier Mascherano unveils Lionel Messi’s status for Florida derby between Inter Miami and Orlando City

Following impressive victories in the 2025 Leagues Cup, Inter Miami prepare to face Orlando City in the Florida Derby. Head coach Javier Mascherano discussed Lionel Messi’s readiness for this pivotal game.

Inter Miami are in impressive form, going eight games without defeat in their last nine outings. Lionel Messi‘s performance has been vital to this run, contributing both goals and creativity. However, the injury he suffered against Necaxa casts doubt on his availability for the team’s next game against Orlando City. As a result, head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi status for the Florida derby.

“Leo Messi is unavailable for tomorrow. It would be crazy to take the risk of playing him with everything that’s coming up, but we’re optimistic that he’ll be back with us soon,” Javier Mascherano said in press conference. The Argentine star’s absence due to injury might extend up to 15 days. However, Mascherano has opted not to disclose a specific return date, ensuring the star forward’s recovery is not rushed.

Although Lionel Messi has yet to fully recover, he made a significant stride today by training individually, reported journalist Jose Armando Rodriguez. He also suggests that Messi might make his much-anticipated return against U.A.N.L Tigres in the 2025 Leagues Cup. In the meantime, Inter Miami have proven their competitiveness in his absence, giving head coach Javier Mascherano an extra boost to maintain their strong form.

Who will fill Lionel Messi’s spot in Inter Miami’s starting lineup during his expected absence?

With Lionel Messi on the field, Inter Miami craft an ideal setup that allows the Argentine star to glide effortlessly across the offensive front. In his absence, Rodrigo De Paul has the versatility to step into Messi’s attacking midfield role. His performance against Pumas, where he excelled, exemplifies this capability.

While De Paul typically operates as a box-to-box player, his offensive prowess enables him to make significant contributions, including scoring goals. He consistently impacts the creative aspects of the game while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. Nonetheless, Tadeo Allende and Benjamin Cremaschi are also viable options for this role, having adeptly filled it in previous games.

The Florida derby between Inter Miami and Orlando City promises to be highly competitive

Despite Inter Miami’s recent competitive surge, their matchups with Orlando City suggest a much closer contest. Lionel Messi’s squad has secured just one victory in their last five meetings, with three ending in draws. Adding to the challenge, their most recent encounter saw the Herons suffer a decisive 3-0 defeat.

Orlando City’s dynamic attacking duo, Luis Muriel and Martin Ojeda, aims to shine as they take on Inter Miami’s defense. In their recent outing, they netted five goals, showcasing exceptional form and confidence. Meanwhile, the defensive partnership of Maximiliano Falcon and Gonzalo Lujan has excelled, effectively minimizing any potential vulnerabilities. As a result, fans can anticipate a closely contested and evenly matched encounter.

From: bolavip.com