Amid Messi injury concern, Inter Miami receive boost ahead of Leagues Cup match vs Pumas

Last Saturday, Inter Miami lost Lionel Messi early in the match against Club Necaxa due to a muscle injury. However, ahead of their third Leagues Cup 2025 first round match against Pumas, the Herons got a welcome boost concerning another member of the squad.

That first minutes of the match against Necaxa had it all. Not only did Messi leave with an injury, but moments later Telasco Segovia scored the opener. Then came another setback for Javier Mascherano‘s team: Maximiliano Falcon was sent off for what the referee judged to be a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity committed against Diber Cambindo.

The red card changed the game for the Herons, who couldn’t hold on to their early lead and managed only a last-minute draw thanks to a goal from Jordi Alba. They then secured an extra point in the penalty shootout.

Inter Miami believed Falcon’s red card was unjustified and filed an appeal with the Leagues Cup 2025 Disciplinary Committee requesting the suspension be overturned. On Tuesday, the club received a favorable response — excellent news ahead of the next game.

Falcon cleared to play vs Pumas

Through their official social media channels, the Herons announced the update. “Inter Miami CF submitted a claim before the Leagues Cup 2025 Disciplinary Committee to rescind the red card issued to player Maximiliano Falcón,” the statement reads.

“The Committee determined, based on Chapter XIII of the Leagues Cup Tournament Regulations, to rescind the red card. Therefore, the player will be eligible to participate in the upcoming match,” the club added, confirming Falcon will be available for the match against Pumas — if coach Mascherano chooses to include him.

And that’s not all. In addition to being able to rely on one of their key players for a decisive matchup, Inter Miami will also gain another advantage as a result of the decision. “The Fair Play Table will be adjusted,” the club clarified.

What is the Fair Play Table in the Leagues Cup?

This year’s Leagues Cup format includes an initial round where each team plays three matches against opponents from the other league. At the end of the round, a combined standings table is created, comparing the 18 teams from each league. The top four from each side advance to the quarterfinals.

If teams are tied on points, the tiebreakers are as follows: Most wins in regulation time; best goal differential; most goals scored; fewest goals conceded; fewest points on the Fair Play Table; a drawing of lots by the Organizing Committee.

According to the Leagues Cup regulations, the Fair Play Table “is a points-based system that tallies the number of yellow and red cards received by players and coaching staff.” Those points are totaled after all three matches to generate each team’s fair play score.

Red cards, like the one Falcon received, carry a significant penalty. That’s why having the red card removed is a big win for Inter Miami — it could improve their chances of advancing, should the standings come down to fair play criteria after the third group stage match.