Columbus Crew are the 2023 MLS Cup champions and the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup runners-up (losing 0-3 to Mexico’s Pachuca in the final on June 2). Therefore, this will be a very strong opponent for Messi and Inter Miami in the upcoming Leagues Cup round of 16.

However, if they overcome the very difficult hurdle against Columbus Crew, the path to the final and the ability to defend the Leagues Cup championship of Messi and his teammates at Inter Miami will become clearer.

In the quarterfinals, if Inter Miami advances, they will meet the same opponents they met in the group stage, Tigres UANL or New York City FC. In the semi-finals, they will meet FC Cincinnati or Philadelphia Union (USA), or Mazatlan Club and Cruz Azul (Mexico).

Meanwhile, in the remaining bracket, the most significant opponent is Club America (Mexico), but this team will have to overcome many very strong opponents of the MLS (USA) such as St. Louis City SC (round of 16), Colorado Rapids or Toluca (Mexico) in the quarterfinals, Seattle Sounders FC or Los Angeles FC with stars Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris in the semi-finals…

According to the Miami Herald (USA): “Messi has not been using foot protection all week, due to the impact of the right ankle injury from the Copa America final. This famous player is undergoing physical therapy to fully recover. It is expected that from this weekend or early next week, after Inter Miami determines the opponent in the Leagues Cup round of 16, Messi will return to normal training. However, Messi’s ability to play in the upcoming match is still open, because it depends on the assessment of the medical team and coach Tata Martino.”

After Inter Miami beat Toronto FC 4-3 in the League Cup round of 32 on August 9, coach Tata Martino also confirmed: “We are evaluating Messi’s ability to return to play every day. He is recovering very well and everything is within the plan we have outlined.”

During Messi’s absence, Inter Miami has maintained an extremely high level of performance since June, with a total of 10 matches, winning 8 and losing only 2. Defender Jordi Alba is the brightest player when he is put in midfield to launch his teammates to score. Meanwhile, midfielder Busquets can also play as a center back. And veteran striker Suarez still scores regularly.

Inter Miami’s rise also has to take into account other factors that have played very well such as midfielders Federico Redondo, Matias Rojas, Diego Gomez, Julian Gressel or striker Leonardo Campana. Therefore, in case Messi has not returned, this will be a strong enough squad to compete with Columbus Crew in the race to defend Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup title.

In the ongoing 2024 MLS season, Inter Miami defeated Columbus Crew 2-1 at home on June 20, when Messi and Suarez were both absent due to playing for their national teams in the Copa America. Inter Miami is also 10 points ahead of Columbus Crew in the MLS Eastern Conference standings (53 points compared to 43 points).