Messi's possible return fuels Inter Miami's bid for seventh MLS win

Inter Miami will host Columbus Crew at the Nu Stadium on Saturday, eyeing a seventh consecutive MLS win while the possible return of Lionel Messi hangs in the balance after the Argentina‑Spain World Cup final on 19 July in Nueva Jersey. The match kicks off at 20:30 Hora Argentina and will be shown on Apple TV.

The Florida side arrived in Miami after a 1‑0 away victory over CF Montréal, extending its regular‑season streak to six wins. Luis Suárez sealed the win with a late goal, marking his sixth strike in three league games, and the match also saw the debut of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

In the 2026 MLS regular season Inter Miami sit second in the Conferencia Este with 37 points, a record built on 11 wins, two defeats and four draws. Lionel Messi, the current Landon Donovan MVP and Golden Boot holder, leads the team with 12 goals and shares the assist lead (eight) with Telasco Segovia.

Historically, Inter Miami holds an 11‑5‑1 advantage over Columbus Crew in 12 meetings, with seven victories, three for the Ohio club and one draw. The recent head‑to‑head trend favours Miami, which will aim to stretch its winning run to four after a 5‑1 home triumph in May 2025.

Columbus Crew arrive at the Nu Stadium for the first time after a 2‑1 win over FC Cincinnati. The Ohio side sit 11th in the Conferencia Este with 19 points, far from the front‑row positions, and will look to improve their standing.

Messi has not spoken to the press since the loss to Spain, opting instead for an Instagram message. He travelled to Miami, spent a few days in Rosario with his family, and then flew back to the United States. Coach Guillermo Hoyos said, “We must thank the involvement of Leo Messi and Rodrigo De Paul; they are fundamental both football‑wise and human‑wise.” The indication is that Messi will at least be on the bench, ready to add minutes.

The duel will be refereed by Tori Penso. Probable line‑ups feature Inter Miami with Rocco Ríos Novo; Facundo Mura, Micael, Noah Allen, Reguilón; David Ruiz, Casemiro, Yannich Bright, Mateo Silvetti; Preston Plambeck and Luis Suárez. Columbus Crew may line up Patrick Schulte; Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, Sean Zawadzki; Mohamed Farsi, Dylan Chambost, Sékou Bangoura, Max Arfsten; Taha Habroune, Jamal Thiaré and Daniel Gazdag.

The contrast between Messi’s uncertain presence and Inter Miami’s strong momentum underscores a pivotal moment for the club’s MLS campaign, with the outcome set to shape the narrative of an already busy August schedule.