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Lionel Messi is looking to lead Inter Miami past Nashville SC again.
Messi and Inter Miami host Nashville on March 18 (6 p.m. CT, FS2) in the second leg of the round of 16 series in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. It will be Inter Miami's final game at its temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before the opening of its permanent home, Nu Stadium, in April in Miami.
After a 0-0 tie in the first leg at Geodis Park on March 11, Miami needs to win in order to advance to the quarterfinals of North America's top continental competition. A scoreless tie would force extra time and possibly penalties, while any other tie would see Nashville move on because it will have scored more away goals.
Messi is not dealing with any known injuries, so barring unforeseen circumstances, he'll be available against Nashville.
Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul did not travel with Miami to its most recent MLS match, a 0-0 tie at Charlotte FC on March 14. Coach Javier Mascherano held Messi out of the lineup against Charlotte because he wanted to get him rest, meaning Messi should be ready to play a full 90 minutes against Nashville, as he has in each of his first four games this season.
"We felt we had too many trips planned, considering it was an artificial turf field, always complicated at Charlotte," Mascherano told reporters on March 17. "We preferred they avoid the trip, rest, and not have to make another journey."
MORE: Is Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi a 'rivalry' yet? If not, it's close
MORE: What Hany Mukhtar's historic MLS goal means to Nashville SC
Messi has scored 899 goals for his clubs and the Argentina national team during his career. If he scores against Nashville, he would become the second player ever to reach 900 goals. Only longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo (965) has more.
Messi has 15 goals and four assists in 11 matches against Nashville, though the first leg at Geodis was just the second time he has gone scoreless against NSC.
Nashville SC and Inter Miami have a lengthy history. They both entered MLS as expansion teams in 2020 and have been each other's most frequent opponent since then. Leg 2 in Fort Lauderdale will be their 21st meeting.
The all-time series stands at nine wins for Miami, five wins for Nashville and six draws. While Nashville beat Miami in the wild-card round of the 2020 MLS playoffs, Miami has since eliminated Nashville from four cup competitions — the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup and 2025 MLS playoffs.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at [email protected] and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Is Messi playing tonight? Inter Miami vs Nashville SC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Continue reading...
Messi and Inter Miami host Nashville on March 18 (6 p.m. CT, FS2) in the second leg of the round of 16 series in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. It will be Inter Miami's final game at its temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before the opening of its permanent home, Nu Stadium, in April in Miami.
After a 0-0 tie in the first leg at Geodis Park on March 11, Miami needs to win in order to advance to the quarterfinals of North America's top continental competition. A scoreless tie would force extra time and possibly penalties, while any other tie would see Nashville move on because it will have scored more away goals.
Is Messi playing today against Nashville SC?
Messi is not dealing with any known injuries, so barring unforeseen circumstances, he'll be available against Nashville.
Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul did not travel with Miami to its most recent MLS match, a 0-0 tie at Charlotte FC on March 14. Coach Javier Mascherano held Messi out of the lineup against Charlotte because he wanted to get him rest, meaning Messi should be ready to play a full 90 minutes against Nashville, as he has in each of his first four games this season.
"We felt we had too many trips planned, considering it was an artificial turf field, always complicated at Charlotte," Mascherano told reporters on March 17. "We preferred they avoid the trip, rest, and not have to make another journey."
MORE: Is Nashville SC vs Inter Miami, Lionel Messi a 'rivalry' yet? If not, it's close
MORE: What Hany Mukhtar's historic MLS goal means to Nashville SC
Lionel Messi's 900th goal could come against Nashville
Messi has scored 899 goals for his clubs and the Argentina national team during his career. If he scores against Nashville, he would become the second player ever to reach 900 goals. Only longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo (965) has more.
Messi has 15 goals and four assists in 11 matches against Nashville, though the first leg at Geodis was just the second time he has gone scoreless against NSC.
Nashville SC vs Inter Miami history
Nashville SC and Inter Miami have a lengthy history. They both entered MLS as expansion teams in 2020 and have been each other's most frequent opponent since then. Leg 2 in Fort Lauderdale will be their 21st meeting.
The all-time series stands at nine wins for Miami, five wins for Nashville and six draws. While Nashville beat Miami in the wild-card round of the 2020 MLS playoffs, Miami has since eliminated Nashville from four cup competitions — the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup and 2025 MLS playoffs.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at [email protected] and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Is Messi playing tonight? Inter Miami vs Nashville SC in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Continue reading...
