LEAGUES CUP 2023

Messi starts on the bench as Tata Martino’s confirmed Inter Miami XI vs Cruz Azul revealed

The World Cup winner is reported to be starting on the bench for The Herons as they take on Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium.

Sam Navarro

Joe Brennan

Born in Leeds, Joe finished his Spanish degree in 2018 before becoming an English teacher to football (soccer) players and managers, as well as collaborating with various football media outlets in English and Spanish. He joined AS in 2022 and covers both the men’s and women’s game across Europe and beyond.

Update: Jul 21st, 2023 18:11 EDT

Lionel Messi is in line to start on the bench when Inter Miami take on Cruz Azul in the opening game of the Leagues Cup 2023. It is expected that he will make his debut as a substitute.

Follow Lionel Messi’s debut for Inter Miami live with AS USA

The World Cup winner is reportedly not starting for Tata Martino’s side, who has also taken the decision to leave out both Sergio Busquets and Josef Martínez.

Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer after leaving PSG earlier in the summer, and his debut has been highly anticipated, with tickets selling for over $30,000 and Inter Miami even making a rapidly-organised increase of the capacity of the DRV PNK Stadium.

Tonight’s Starting XI vs Cruz Azul#CAZvMIA | 8:00PM ET |📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/xAKfYsdSf5
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 21, 2023

Eager fans will have to wait to see their new superstar according to TyC Sport’s Gastón Edul, who reports that the MLS side will not start with the player labelled as the GOAT (Greatest of all-time). Messi has only managed a couple of training sessions with his new team and Martino clearly does not feel the Argentine is in match conditions.

The Leagues Cup begins today with Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul, a game you can follow live on AS USA.