Inter Miami lost 3-2 to Club León of Mexico at Nu Stadium and was eliminated after playing the third and final match of the 2026 Leagues Cup group stage. Lionel Messi played the entire second half, after making himself available to the squad upon his return from Rosario, where he said goodbye to his late father, Jorge Messi.
The Argentine started the match among the substitutes and entered at the beginning of the second half, when the Florida team was leading 1-0 and still had a chance to advance.
Messi, who had returned to the United States after traveling to Rosario for his father’s funeral, was greeted with a standing ovation by the fans.
However, León reacted and turned the result around with a brace from Colombian Daniel Arcila. The victory allowed the Mexican team to reach nine points and become the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Inter Miami needed a win and a specific combination of results to secure a spot among the top four in the MLS group. Ultimately, they finished with three points and were eliminated.
The day also saw Orlando City eliminated, as they drew 2-2 against Atlético San Luis and failed to advance. This result also saw Antoine Griezmann’s team eliminated from the competition.
For Inter Miami, this elimination carries a particular significance: it’s the first time since the Leagues Cup expansion in 2023 that they’ve been knocked out in the initial stage. In that edition, the team won the title with Messi as their star player, while in 2025 they lost the final to the Seattle Sounders.
Guillermo Hoyos’ team thus suffered their second tournament elimination of the season, following their exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Now, their focus shifts to defending their MLS title.
