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Is Lionel Messi Playing Tonight For Inter Miami Vs Atlas In the Leagues Cup?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 4:50 PM ET

The Leagues Cup is a tournament where Inter Miami and Lionel Messi have found success in the past. Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, the first edition, which used a tournament format filled with Liga MX and MLS teams.

It is one of two major trophies Messi has won with Inter Miami since he arrived in 2023. Messi missed last year's Leagues Cup due to an injury, but now fully fit, the Argentine star is expected to play in the tournament again.

Inter Miami will take on Atlas FC, and many wonder if Messi will play after being suspended for Inter Miami's previous match due to missing the MLS All-Star game.

Is Lionel Messi starting vs Atlas FC?

After missing Inter Miami's last match, Messi is expected to play against Atlas FC in the Herons' first match in the tournament. He is also expected to start after resting for more than a week.

Messi trained with the team along with Jordi Alba, who was also suspended for missing the 2025 MLS All-Star Game. A day before the match, head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Messi and Alba will play the game.

The coach also joked around, saying his two players will play unless another suspension prevents them from playing, referring to the latest ban in the MLS.

Javier Mascherano: "Yes [Messi and Alba will play]… unless they get penalized again [laughs].”

Lionel Messi y Luis Suárez entrenan sin problemas.

Rodrigo De Paul todavía no recibe su visa y no está con el grupo.

Fray trabaja por separado y Baltasar Rodríguez ausente.#InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/h62zEfhqZR
— José Armando (@Jarm21) July 29, 2025

Javier Mascherano on Lionel Messi's Fitness

After weeks of constant football, Messi finally rested for a week as he served the one-game suspension the MLS gave him this past weekend. His last game was on July 19 against the NY Red Bulls in the MLS.

Messi fans were worried to see the Argentine constantly playing 90 minutes with Inter Miami due to his age, but now with a week off, many are excited to see how he plays against Atlas.

Mascherano gave an insight into how he sees Messi physically and praises the week off the player took as he prepares for another tournament with Inter Miami.