Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Suffer Major Loss

Head coach Javier Mascherano's roster, which includes his former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi , Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, has enough firepower to sit sixth out of 30 MLS teams in the league standings entering the worldwide tournament.

His job got harder, though, when he confirmed on Friday that Alba will miss the opening match with an injury. Notably, Mascherano also will not have midfielder Yannick Bright available.

Alba, 36, was named an MLS All-Star in 2024. His remarkable 20 goal contributions (five goals, 15 assists) from the left back position helped Inter Miami win the MLS Supporters' Shield with a single-season record of 74 points in the regular season. This season, he has one goal and five assists in 21 appearances in all competitions. 

His presence up and down the left wing has always meshed well with the creativity of Messi off the forward line. Entering the 2025 season, Alba had assisted 29 goals in Messi's illustrious career with Barcelona and IMCF. 

The combination was more fruitful than Busquets to Messi (23), but less than the number Suarez has provided (63). Without one of the Barcelona quartet, that much more attention gets placed on the other three, making the gameplan easier for Al Ahly.

Mascherano expressed frustration with Inter Miami's front office for not bolstering the squad with any signings before the Club World Cup, and now his already thin roster is facing the loss of Alba for at least one match. One of Noah Allen or David Martinez is likely to be the replacement at left back.