Inter Miami lineup vs. Necaxa: Predicted XI for Leagues Cup match as Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are reunited

Inter Miami and Necaxa can take a giant step towards a place in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals with another victory on Saturday, when they square off at Chase Stadium.

Despite not training with his temporary club beforehand, Rodrigo De Paul, currently on loan from Atletico Madrid, seemed to fit right in with his new side, playing a full 90 minutes for them in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atlas on matchday one.

His 2022 World Cup-winning teammate with Argentina, Lionel Messi, logged 90 minutes for the Herons as well after missing out in their 0-0 draw versus FC Cincinnati, their final league fixture before this competition began.

Messi’s return to the Miami fold made the difference once again as he assisted on both of their goals against Atlas, including the winner by Marcelo Weigandt deep into second-half stoppage time.

Their opening goal came courtesy of Telasco Segovia, and Messi may well start in between the Venezuelan and Tadeo Allende once again, with Luis Suarez operating as the loan striker up front.

Also, back in the lineup for them this week was Jordi Alba, who came in for Benjamin Cremaschi against Atlas, playing the full match.

De Paul and Sergio Busquets seemed to play well together as the deep-lying midfielders, and we anticipate Javier Mascherano will have them both together versus Necaxa.

Four Miami players are currently dealing with hamstring strains, including Allen Obando, Oscar Ustari, Baltasar Rodriguez and Noah Allen, though the latter was on the substitutes bench on Wednesday, as was Obando.

An adductor issue will likely keep Ian Fray on the sidelines for this upcoming clash, while Miami’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout the 2024 campaign, Drake Callender, is still recovering from a hernia problem.

With Ustari and Callender on the mend, it will likely be Rocco Rios Novo between the sticks once again for Saturday’s fixture.

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Novo; Weigandt, Lujan, Aviles, Alba; De Paul, Busquets; Allende, Messi, Segovia; Suarez