Oct 4, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF ahead Lionel Messi (10) reacts in opposition to the New England Revolution through the second half at Chase Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photographs Lionel Messi’s standing is unsure as Inter Miami head right into a essential matchup in opposition to Atlanta United on Saturday night time at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
It was unclear Thursday if Messi would swimsuit up for Argentina in its pleasant in opposition to Venezuela on Friday night time in Miami Gardens or sit that one out with a view to play for Inter Miami (17-7-8, 59 factors) in opposition to Atlanta United (5-15-12, 27 factors) in his membership’s penultimate regular-season match.
Though Philadelphia clinched the Supporters’ Defend final week, Inter Miami nonetheless have lots to play for Saturday as they struggle to attract degree with Cincinnati for second place within the Japanese Convention. Every convention’s prime 4 finishers safe home-field benefit for the primary playoff spherical.
Along with Messi, Inter Miami is more likely to be short-handed with 5 different gamers — Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia, Ian Fray, Mateo Silvetti and Noah Allen — referred to as to nationwide staff obligation this week.
“We are going to handle the very best we will,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated. “We all know we’re going to have some absences on Saturday, so we would like the gamers who stayed to be as contemporary and prepared as doable as a result of, clearly, we wish to get three factors to safe third place and put strain on Cincinnati heading into the ultimate sport.”
Atlanta is anticipated to have as many as eight gamers out for a similar cause, together with the USA’ Luke Brennan and Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron.
Atlanta, which additionally has two matches remaining, is coming off back-to-back shutout losses and hasn’t scored since a 1-1 draw with San Diego on Sept. 20. Atlanta is on the lookout for its first win since blanking Nashville 1-0 on Aug. 30 and wishes a win within the final two matches to keep away from ending with a franchise low for league victories in a season.
“I’ve had struggles, all the time, within the first 12 months earlier than (within the) second 12 months it acquired higher, and third it acquired even higher,” first-year Atlanta coach Ronny Deila stated. “That is why I really like this. I wish to enhance issues.”
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