Johnathan Walker:Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami live updates: Messi still missing for Leagues Cup game today

It’s champion vs. champion with a trip to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Johnathan Walkerthe line Tuesday night.

The marquee matchup: Columbus Crew will host Inter Miami tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

The Crew are the reigning MLS Cup champion and Concacaf Champions Cup runners-up. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is the defending Leagues Cup champion with the best record in MLS this season, despite Lionel Messi’s extended absence due to a right ankle injury.

Here's everything you need to know about the game. Follow along below for live updates throughout the match.

How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami live stream?

The Inter Miami match against Columbus Crew will be available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami starting lineups

Here are the starting lineups for both clubs for tonight’s match:

Is Messi playing tonight?

No, Messi will be out again, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino confirmed Monday.

Although Messi is no longer wearing a walking boot, Messi continues to train away from teammates with trainers since sustaining the injury in the Copa America final on July 14.

When will Messi return from injury? 

It’s unclear when Messi will return from injury. 

A few dates to keep in mind: Messi could join Argentina for two World Cup 2026 qualifiers on Sept. 5 (vs. Chile in Argentina) and Sept. 10 (away vs. Colombia). 

What happened last time Columbus played Inter Miami? 

Inter Miami beat Columbus 2-1 on June 19 – with Messi and Luis Suarez away from the club during Copa America. Ian Fray and Leo Campana scored for Miami, while Cucho Hernández scored for Columbus. 

Which team would winner face in Leagues Cup quarterfinals?

The winner of the Inter Miami-Columbus match will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between Tigres UANL and New York City FC.

Leagues Cup 2024 Round of 16 schedule

Here are the other Leagues Cup matches in action on Tuesday night:

∎FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

∎Tigres UANL vs. New York City FC, 8 p.m. ET (Apple TV; FS1, UniMás)

∎Cruz Azul vs. Mazatlán, 8 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

∎Toluca FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 10 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

∎Club América vs. St. Louis CITY SC, 10:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

∎LAFC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

∎Seattle Sounders FC 4, PUMAS UNAM 0

When is the Leagues Cup final?

The Leagues Cup final and third-place match will be on Aug. 25. The participants will be decided after the quarterfinals on Aug. 16-17, and the semifinals on Aug. 21.