Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami vs Nashville live updates: MLS team news, line-ups latest

Lionel Messi has contributed to at least one goal in each of his nine appearances for Inter Miami in all competitions since joining the club, totalling 11 goals and three assists.

Miami has scored 27 goals in those nine matches after scoring just 28 goals in their first 26 games in all competitions this season.

Inter Miami are unbeaten in all nine matches they have played in all competitions since Lionel Messi joined the club — the longest unbeaten run in club history.

They won six of those contests and drew the other three — but all three draws saw them win a penalty shootout to advance in a cup competition.

August is already Lionel Messi’s busiest month for over two years, and September could be even more difficult.

Tata Martino has confirmed that the Argentine is expected to miss at least three of Inter Miami’s matches due to national team duty.

At the link below, Jeff Rueter has broken down Messi’s minutes, and when the superstar could possibly get a rest.

Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba is set to step aside from international duty with Spain.

His decision has been triggered by the complications of travelling from his home in the United States to Europe following his move from Barcelona to Inter Miami this summer.

The 34-year-old informed Spain manager Luis de la Fuente of his decision earlier this month.

Alba’s choice to take a step back from the national team is not related to the dispute surrounding Spanish football association (RFEF president) Luis Rubiales.

Alba stepping away from Spain duty means Inter Miami will now have him available for its games during the international break, with MLS not pausing the league for international fixtures.

On Sunday, Lionel Messi’s son Thiago was included in Inter Miami’s Under-12 academy roster for the 2023-24 season.

Thiago, who is 10, will team up with the rest of Miami’s Under-12 side and be coached by Diego Garcia, pending the receipt of his work permit.

David Beckham’s son, Romeo, as well as Phil Neville’s son, Harvey, also came through the academy ranks at Miami.

There’s never a bad time to revisit Lionel Messi’s incredible goal against Nashville in the Leagues Cup final.

“It doesn’t matter where you put yourself,” said Nashville’s Dax McCarty of Messi. “He puts the ball where no other player on the planet is able to put it.”

Messi’s goal had everyone from Nashville’s players to David Beckham in awe.

In the Leagues Cup final earlier this month, Nashville gave Miami their toughest test yet, playing them to a 1-1 draw before Miami eventually triumphed in a penalty shootout.

The Athletic‘s Joseph Lowery has broken down the lessons Nashville should take from their first meeting with Lionel Messi, from frustrating him and Sergio Busquets to controlling set pieces.

Read his analysis below.

Inter Miami eliminated Nashville from both the U.S. Open Cup and the Leagues Cup this year.

In MLS play however, Nashville has only lost one of seven all-time meetings with Miami, winning four and drawing two.

It’s also worth noting that at 36 years and 63 days old, Lionel Messi became the fourth-oldest player in MLS history to score on his debut on Saturday.

He slots in behind:

• Hugo Sanchez (37y 312d) for Dallas in 1996
• Billy Sharp (37y 202d) for the LA Galaxy also on Saturday
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (36y 179d) for the Galaxy in 2018

“In 35 minutes tonight, Lionel Messi just gave New York City one of the best goals you will ever see.”

Like so many of Messi’s goals over the years, his first career MLS regular season goal will be remembered for its astonishing quality.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve watched an assist no less than 10 times,” Tata Martino said afterward. “I really can’t understand how he saw Cremaschi.”

Felipe Cardenas has broken it all down at the link below.

Thiago Almada scored a goal and added two assists as Atlanta United handed Nashville their worst loss in club history in all competitions on Saturday.

The hosts recorded 11 shots on target compared to just one by the visitors.

Nashville have lost a club-record four straight regular season matches, getting outscored 1-10 in that time.

Lionel Messi made his first appearance in a MLS regular season match off the bench, coming on for the final half hour and scoring in the 89th minute to seal a victory that ended Inter Miami’s 11-game winless streak in league matches.

Diego Gomez had given Miami a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Despite the match being played in New Jersey, the fans made it clear who they were there to see, with chants of “We want Messi” throughout and a loud cheer when the Argentine was coming on.

Nashville face a major concern as All-Star center back and U.S. international Walker Zimmerman is a doubt for tonight’s match due to a lower-body injury.

Striker Sam Surridge’s availability is also questionable due to a similar injury.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are expected to return to Inter Miami’s starting line-up after coming off the bench for the final 30 minutes on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.

Miami manager Tata Martino told reporters yesterday: “The game (Messi) needed, the key game for him to have a bit of recovery was the last one in New York, the same with Busquets. If there are no issues, he should start.”

1. Cincinnati: 54 points, 25 games played
2. Philadelphia: 43 pts, 24 gp
3. New England: 43 pts, 24 gp
4. Orlando City: 43 pts, 25 gp
5. Columbus: 42 pts, 25 gp
6. Atlanta United: 41 pts, 26 gp
7. Nashville: 38 pts, 25 gp
8. Montreal: 35 pts, 25 gp
9. Chicago: 32 pts, 25 gp
10. D.C. United: 30 pts, 26 gp
11. New York Red Bulls: 29 pts, 25 gp
12. Charlotte: 29 pts, 24 gp
13. New York City: 26 pts, 26 gp
14. Inter Miami: 21 pts, 23 gp
15. Toronto: 19 pts, 26 gp

The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.

Inter Miami clearly have a lot of ground to make up, but they are helped by the fact they’ve played the fewest number of games in the conference.

The regular season consist of 34 matches for each team.

Tonight’s match can be streamed for free on Apple TV. There is no need to be a paid subscriber of Apple’s MLS Season Pass service to watch this match.

DRV PNK Stadium

• Alternative name: Inter Miami CF Stadium
• City: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Year opened: 2020
• Capacity: 21,000
• Soccer-specific: Yes
• Tenants: Inter Miami CF (MLS), Inter Miami CF II (MLS Next Pro)

DRV PNK Stadium serves as Inter Miami’s temporary home while their permanent stadium, Miami Freedom Park, is being constructed.

AutoNation sponsors the stadium’s naming rights — DRV PNK is the company’s breast cancer awareness campaign.

Approximately 3,000 seats were added after Lionel Messi signed for the club.

CF Montreal also called DRV PNK Stadium home in 2021 due to travel restrictions during the pandemic.