The 2025 Leagues Cup is upon us and Inter Miami will face Atlas in their tournament debut as the rivalry between MLS and Liga MX reignites.

Prior to kickoff, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed Rodrigo De Paul with a ceremonious presentation.

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will miss Inter Miami's big game July 26 vs. FC Cincinnati. It's because the two missed this week's MLS All-Star Game.

Inter Miami played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw without the suspended Lionel Messi on Saturday night. Messi was not available after he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game. Messi was still in attendance on Saturday, watching from a suite at Chase Stadium.

Another former FC Barcelona teammate of Lionel Messi—and two-time UEFA Champions League winner—is reportedly on Inter Miami’s radar. For the past two years, Inter Miami’s strategy for achieving on-field success has been centered around creating the ideal environment for Lionel Messi to thrive.

In a matchup between two elite clubs across conferences, San Diego FC outlasted Nashville SC, while in a contest between two of the best in the East, Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati shared the spoils in a scoreless draw. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, meanwhile, were both suspended for the match due to their unexcused absence at the MLS All-Star Game.

Rodrigo De Paul is the newest Inter Miami star, set to join forces with Lionel Messi in the hunt for the MLS Cup title—as well as a back-to-back run at the League's Cup. Born on May 24, 1994, De Paul began his professional career in Argentina’s domestic league with Racing Club in 2013.