Inter Miami learning how to play 'different' game without Lionel Messi - with Argentine GOAT that 'starts & ends the plays' missing Leagues Cup & MLS action through injury

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal with the Herons that will keep him in South Florida through 2028. Questions had been asked of his future plans as an initial deal in the United States runs down.

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Messi has continued to star in Miami, earning MVP honours in 2024, and had been in impressive goalscoring form prior to picking up his latest knock. He is now being forced to sit out MLS and Leagues Cup fixtures.

Inter Miami were able to book their place in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals without Messi at their disposal, with Tadeo Allende telling Apple TV of countering the absence of the all-time great: "We feel it quite a bit, obviously, because he ends the plays, he starts the plays, and he’s the one who has the last pass. But I think we knew how to handle it well, and we anxiously await him getting back on the pitch.

"Qualifying [for the knockouts] is a very important step for us. Let's see how we work and analyze our next opponents; this is step by step."

Herons boss Javier Mascherano said on the same subject, with his tactical plans having to be tinkered with: "When Leo is playing, we have a base of space that can open the game many times, right? And that player between the lines that comes in to create the superiority is not forced. It's natural, because Leo is the one that gives us the possibilities; we can play it in a different manner. When he's not there, we need to look for different options."

Inter Miami will be back in MLS action on Sunday when taking in a derby date with neighbours Orlando City. The countdown then continues to a Leagues Cup quarter-final, with it yet to be determined how long Messi will be sidelined for.