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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi is one goal away from No. 900 in his illustrious career, and it could come against a team that has become a major rival during his time in Major League Soccer.
Messi and Inter Miami will travel to face Nashville SC for the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The second leg will be on March 18 at 7 p.m. ET at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, before the highly anticipated opening of Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park on April 4.
The aggregate winner from both legs will advance in the tournament, which serves as a pathway to a berth in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Inter Miami has played Nashville 11 times since Messi joined the club in July 2023, and the series has been one-sided to say the least.
The teams settled for three draws in regulation – including Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup title win after a penalty shootout, and a tie in the first leg of their CCC round-of-16 matchup in 2024 ultimately won by Inter Miami in the second leg.
Outside of those results, Nashville has only won once outright – in Game 2 at home to extend last season’s first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami won Game 3, en route to the MLS title.
“We know that their fans are going to put pressure on us, and above all, we have to bear in mind that they are a rival with a chip on their shoulder,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Nashville during a press conference on Tuesday, March 10. “It’s clear that they are a rival that will want revenge … and we have to be prepared for that.”
Nashville is led by 2025 MVP finalist Sam Surridge, former league MVP Hany Mukhtar and defender Andy Nájar, while Inter Miami is still incorporating new pieces added to their lineup this offseason like striker German Beterame, center back Micael, right back Facundo Mura and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. It’s also still unclear when new left back Sergio Reguilón will debut after a right knee injury this preseason.
Both clubs have started the 2026 MLS regular season with two wins and a draw. Nashville advanced to the round of 16 of the Champions Cup by beating Canadian club Atlético Ottawa 7-0 on aggregate, while Inter Miami enters the tournament at this stage after receiving a bye as defending MLS champion.
Messi is expected to once again play the role of difference-maker.
The two-time MLS MVP and Inter Miami’s all-time leader with 80 goals, Messi has scored 15 goals in 10 meetings across competitions against Nashville – the most of any club he’s faced since joining MLS.
Messi scored his 899th goal against D.C. United in a 2-1 win in Baltimore last Saturday.
“Clearly, we don't appreciate the magnitude of it. In the end, we're talking about being able to score or reach 900 goals, which is an incredible feat for a unique player,” Mascherano said of his former Barcelona teammate.
“Hopefully we can help him as a team to reach 900 [Wednesday] or even surpass it. That's it. It will mean that we played a good game, that we were able to score away from home, which is very important in this competition, and that it will give us the chance to decide the matchup here at home with our fans.”
The match will be broadcast in English on FS2, and in Spanish on TUDN.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi, Inter Miami vs Nashville in Champions Cup: Time, TV, how to watch
Continue reading...
Messi and Inter Miami will travel to face Nashville SC for the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The second leg will be on March 18 at 7 p.m. ET at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, before the highly anticipated opening of Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park on April 4.
The aggregate winner from both legs will advance in the tournament, which serves as a pathway to a berth in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Inter Miami has played Nashville 11 times since Messi joined the club in July 2023, and the series has been one-sided to say the least.
The teams settled for three draws in regulation – including Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup title win after a penalty shootout, and a tie in the first leg of their CCC round-of-16 matchup in 2024 ultimately won by Inter Miami in the second leg.
Outside of those results, Nashville has only won once outright – in Game 2 at home to extend last season’s first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami won Game 3, en route to the MLS title.
“We know that their fans are going to put pressure on us, and above all, we have to bear in mind that they are a rival with a chip on their shoulder,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Nashville during a press conference on Tuesday, March 10. “It’s clear that they are a rival that will want revenge … and we have to be prepared for that.”
Nashville is led by 2025 MVP finalist Sam Surridge, former league MVP Hany Mukhtar and defender Andy Nájar, while Inter Miami is still incorporating new pieces added to their lineup this offseason like striker German Beterame, center back Micael, right back Facundo Mura and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. It’s also still unclear when new left back Sergio Reguilón will debut after a right knee injury this preseason.
Both clubs have started the 2026 MLS regular season with two wins and a draw. Nashville advanced to the round of 16 of the Champions Cup by beating Canadian club Atlético Ottawa 7-0 on aggregate, while Inter Miami enters the tournament at this stage after receiving a bye as defending MLS champion.
Messi is expected to once again play the role of difference-maker.
The two-time MLS MVP and Inter Miami’s all-time leader with 80 goals, Messi has scored 15 goals in 10 meetings across competitions against Nashville – the most of any club he’s faced since joining MLS.
Messi scored his 899th goal against D.C. United in a 2-1 win in Baltimore last Saturday.
“Clearly, we don't appreciate the magnitude of it. In the end, we're talking about being able to score or reach 900 goals, which is an incredible feat for a unique player,” Mascherano said of his former Barcelona teammate.
“Hopefully we can help him as a team to reach 900 [Wednesday] or even surpass it. That's it. It will mean that we played a good game, that we were able to score away from home, which is very important in this competition, and that it will give us the chance to decide the matchup here at home with our fans.”
How to watch Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami on Wednesday?
The match will be broadcast in English on FS2, and in Spanish on TUDN.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina
- March 11: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
- March 14: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
- March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- March 27: Spain vs. Argentina, 2 p.m. ET (Finalissima)
- March 31: Qatar vs. Argentina, TBD (International friendly)
- April 4: Inter Miami vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi, Inter Miami vs Nashville in Champions Cup: Time, TV, how to watch
Continue reading...
