Miami fearing Messi blow ahead of Leagues Cup quarter-finals - World
Argentine superstar Messi, who has struggling with muscular problems since early August, trained separately from his team-mates on Tuesday as they prepared for their last-eight showdown with Tigres.
Messi, 38, returned to Miami's line-up on Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal after coming on a substitute in a 3-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy.
However, the World Cup winner looked to be in physical discomfort during his second-half appearance, raising doubts about his fitness for Miami's campaign in the Leagues Cup, the cross-border club competition for teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga-MX.
Miami coach Mascherano admitted on Tuesday that Messi's fitness for the clash with Tigres was in doubt, but stopped short of ruling him out of contention.
"Leo didn't train with the group; he trained separately," Mascherano told a press conference in Fort Lauderdale. "He felt uncomfortable during the 45 minutes he played (on Saturday). We'll see how he's doing during the day and tomorrow, but he's not ruled out," Mascherano added.
"I can't tell you today if he'll play because it depends a lot on how he feels."
Messi's absence would be a blow to Miami's hopes of regaining the Leagues Cup title they won in 2023 during the Argentine star's fairytale first season in MLS.
Mascherano said Miami will face a stiff test against Tigres, the eight-time Mexican champions, describing them as "a team with a lot of offensive power."
"The goal is to neutralise Tigres, be the protagonists, have the ball, and play the game at our pace," Mascherano noted.
"They're a tough opponent, but we have the weapons to compete."
Miami's game with Tigres is one of four Leagues Cup quarter-finals set for Wednesday.
Mexico's Toluca face Orlando City before Los Angeles Galaxy host Pachuca, while the Seattle Sounders take on Puebla at home.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Mo Salah voted player of the year by fellow pros in English soccer - Talents Abroad
Liverpool Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey were voted the men's and women's player of the year in English soccer for last season at the Professional Footballers' Association awards on Tuesday. For Salah, it marks a record third time he has won the award that is voted by his fellow professionals. The 33-year-old Egypt international scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League as Liverpool powered to a record-equaling 20th English top-flight championship. Salah also collected the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year award for a third time earlier in the year. The 29-year-old Caldentey enjoyed a brilliant first season at Arsenal, scoring 19 goals in all competitions — including eight on her team's journey to lifting the Champions League trophy with a victory in the final against her former club, Barcelona. Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers was voted as the men's young player of the year, while Olivia Smith — the Canada striker now at Arsenal after a world-record transfer — won the women's equivalent after a strong season at Liverpool. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Rabiot, Rowe put up for sale by Marseille after bust-up - World
Marseille duo Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe were placed on the club's transfer list Tuesday after a physical altercation following the 1-0 loss at Rennes in the Ligue 1 season opener. France midfielder Rabiot and England Under-21 forward Rowe were involved in a heated exchange in the team's dressing room after Friday's match, which Rennes won with a stoppage-time goal despite playing for an hour with 10 men. Marseille called the players' behaviour "unacceptable" in a brief club statement which explained the decision to put both of them up for sale. Rabiot and Rowe were informed of the news on Monday, it said. Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, told RTL radio earlier on Tuesday that Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi had taken the decision due to a "lack of commitment". Marseille initially denied reports of a fight, but a source close to the club confirmed to AFP a report from French sports daily L'Equipe that said "blows were exchanged between the two men". The 30-year-old Rabiot joined Marseille last season after five years with Juventus and helped the club qualify for the Champions League. It is not his first run-in with club or country though, having left Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after being sidelined for six months over a contract issue. He also refused to go on France's standby list ahead of the 2018 World Cup and was not selected by coach Didier Deschamps for two years as a result. Rowe, 22, signed from Norwich last year and scored three times in 28 games in his first season in Ligue 1. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pyramids halt Masry perfect start in Egyptian Premier League - Egyptian Football
Newly signed Brazilian winger Ewerton scored a brilliant solo goal to help Pyramids FC earn a 2-2 draw against El Masry on Tuesday, ending the Port Said side's perfect start to the Egyptian Premier League season. Ewerton broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a powerful strike after a solo run down the left flank. Masry responded shortly after the break, with Abderrahim Deghmoum slotting home from close range in the 49th minute following a scramble in the box. Fiston Mayele restored Pyramids' lead in the 66th minute with a clinical finish, but Omar El Saaiy equalized for Masry seven minutes from time to secure a point for the league leaders. Masry remain top of the standings with seven points from three matches, while Pyramids sit second on five points. The Port Said club had kicked off the campaign with back-to-back wins, collecting six points from their first two matches before Tuesday's draw. On the other side, Pyramids opened their season with a goalless draw against Wadi Degla, followed by a 1-0 victory over Ismaily. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
