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As Lionel Messi and Inter Miami prepare to make their debut in the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the South Florida outfit has been dealt a major setback. Just days before their opening clash against Egyptian giants Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, the club has confirmed that three key players—Jordi Alba, Yannick Bright, and Gonzalo Lujan—will miss the match due to injuries.
Injury woes strike at a crucial moment
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano delivered the unfortunate news during Friday’s pre-match press conference. The absence of these players, especially seasoned veteran Alba, is seen as a significant blow to the team’s defensive structure and overall strategy.
“As for Jordi (Alba), Yannick (Bright), and Gonza (Lujan), they won’t be available for this match. Hopefully by the second game—maybe not all three—but at least two or even one of them will be back,” Mascherano stated.
Both Alba and Lujan sustained muscle injuries during Inter Miami’s 4–2 victory over CF Montreal on May 28. Alba, one of Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, was forced to leave the match early due to a right hamstring strain. Meanwhile, Bright picked up his injury during the 3–3 draw against Philadelphia Union on May 24 and has yet to fully recover.
Lionel Messi’s burden increases
With Alba out, Messi loses a trusted ally on the left flank—someone who has shared the pitch with him for years in both La Liga and MLS. Messi’s role will now be even more pivotal as Inter Miami looks to secure a winning start in Group A, which also includes FC Porto and Palmeiras.
This injury crisis puts additional pressure on Lionel Messi to lead by example, both in terms of performance and leadership. Inter Miami has seen strong form heading into the tournament, but the absence of key players will test their depth and tactical flexibility.
Mascherano stays positive despite setbacks
Mascherano acknowledged the recent injury challenges but remained optimistic about the team’s resilience.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of injuries over the past 20 days that have weakened us as a group—not so much as a team, because throughout the season we’ve dealt with injuries, and the players who had to step in due to injury or replace someone have delivered. So that gives us a certain level of reassurance,” he said.
Despite the obstacles, Mascherano emphasized the significance of the match against Al Ahly and the need to start strong.
“Al Ahly is one of the biggest teams in Africa. It’s a club that wins its league quite regularly and with relative ease… They’ve made five signings specifically for this Club World Cup… They have a defined style of play: very physical, as is typical of African teams, and they’ve got some interesting players, especially from midfield forward.”
A defining test for Inter Miami
As Inter Miami gets ready to face Al Ahly, the spotlight will firmly be on Lionel Messi—his leadership, creativity, and ability to inspire a team battling injuries. A win in the opener could not only set the tone for the rest of the tournament but also send a message to global opponents that Inter Miami is ready for the world stage.
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