Suárez and De Paul Lead Inter Miami to Quarterfinals Without Messi

Aug 7, 2025 - Wearing a dark shirt and shorts, his eyes were fixed on the field. His club teammates were playing there. Some of them were very close to him. One was a close friend from his Barcelona days. Another is known as his "bodyguard’' by fans of the Argentina national team.

In Lionel Messi’s absence, his friend and bodyguard had a special job — Inter Miami had to win against the Mexican club Pumas UNAM. The friend did his part, and the bodyguard also did his job well. That is probably why Messi looked happy and in a good mood while sitting in the stands.

Reach Quarterfinals 

Inter Miami reached the quarterfinals by beating Pumas 3-1 in their last group stage match of the Leagues Cup at Chase Stadium. Rodrigo De Paul, known as Messi’s "bodyguard," scored the first goal for the US club. His close friend Luis Suárez also scored from the penalty spot with a stylish "Panenka" shot.

Messi could not play because of an injury he got in the last match against Necaxa. However, he watched the match from the stands. Even in his absence, his friends helped continue his special record — Messi has never been knocked out in the group stage of any tournament.

Suárez and De Paul Shine

Pumas took the lead in the 34th minute through Jorge Ruvalcaba. But just before half-time, De Paul scored for Miami with a great placing shot after receiving a pass from Suárez. This was not only Miami's first goal of the match but also De Paul’s first goal of the year.

In the 59th minute, Miami got a penalty after a handball by Pumas defender Jose Caicedo. Suárez made it 2-1 with a calm Panenka-style penalty. Ten minutes later, he also assisted Miami’s third goal, scored by Argentine winger Tadeo Allende in the 69th minute.

Before the match, coach Javier Mascherano knew that a win would take Miami to the quarterfinals. Without Messi, he may have been a bit worried. But Suárez and De Paul made sure the team played strong.

Inter Miami became the first MLS team to reach the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. They won all three Group stage matches. Normally, that means 9 points. But Miami had 8 points because one of their wins came in a penalty shootout. As per Leagues Cup rules, a penalty shootout win gives 2 points instead of 3.