Will Messi play? Doubt surrounds his participation in Inter Miami vs. Porto match in the Club World Cup
Alarms went off at Inter Miami’s training camp when Lionel Messi appeared to suffer discomfort in the back of his left leg during a practice session. The Argentine star was seen stopping mid-activity and holding the affected area, quickly raising concerns among fans and coaching staff.
Head coach Javier Mascherano approached Messi to check on him, and the forward eventually stopped all physical activity with the rest of the team. There’s now uncertainty about whether it was just muscle tightness or a more serious injury that could sideline him from a crucial upcoming match.
Inter Miami is set to face FC Porto this Thursday at 3 PM ET (4 PM in Argentina) in what’s considered a key match in Group A of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Inter Miami will serve as the home team. Both clubs are aiming for a win that could put them in pole position to advance to the knockout stage.
Both teams come into matchday 2 after draws
Inter Miami opened their tournament with a scoreless draw against Al Ahly, a match that left more questions than answers. Goalkeeper Óscar Ustari was the standout performer, making several key saves including a crucial penalty stop. Despite a better second half, Mascherano’s team couldn’t break the deadlock.
Similarly, Porto also played to a 0–0 draw, facing Palmeiras in the other Group A opener. With both teams earning just one point, this second match is vital, not only for points but also for goal differential, which could decide who moves on. Inter Miami must win to keep their Round of 16 hopes alive, while Porto needs a victory — ideally with multiple goals — to meet expectations.
Messi will start despite concerns
Despite the scare in training, Javier Mascherano confirmed that Messi will be in the starting lineup against Porto. The coaching staff will closely monitor his fitness during the match.