Three of The Herons’ former Barcelona stars are expected to play at Geodis Park, but another is a major doubt.
At the grand of age of 36, Lionel Messi will play in another new tournament for the first time in his career on Thursday when Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The winner of the tournament will book their place in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which the Argentine won three times with Barcelona.
Inter Miami hoping to break Liga MX CONCACAF dominance
After lifting the first trophy in their short history - the Leagues Cup - in 2023, The Herons have set their sights on more silverware this year, with CONCACAF’s premier club competition high up their list of priorities. The tournament has, however, been completely dominated in recent years by Liga MX clubs, who have won 17 of the last 18 editions. Seattle Sounders were the most recent MLS winners in 2022.
As a result of their Leagues Cup win, Inter Miami enter this year’s competition in the round of 16, where they will face Nashville over two legs. Gerardo “Tata” Martino will be looking for a positive result in Tennessee in Thursday’s first leg, which would set his team up to seal qualification for the quarterfinals at Chase Stadium next Wednesday.
Messi’s Champions League omen
Messi has fond memories of playing on 7 March, which Las Garzas will hope is a good omen. 12 years ago to the day, the Argentina captain put in one of the best performances of his career for Barcelona against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, scoring five times as the Catalans thrashed the Germans 7-1.
Will Messi and Suárez start? Will Jordi Alba be fit to play against Nashville?
With Inter Miami desperate to start their CONCACAF Champinons Cup campaign on the right foot, Martino is expected to name his strongest possible team. With that in mind, Messi is set to join former Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets in the starting lineup. There is, however, a doubt surrounding left-back Jordi Alba, who has been suffering with illness and may not feature.
Recently-signed Argentine youngster Federico Redondo, the son of former Real Madrid star Fernando, could make his debut for the club in midfield.
Inter Miami could therefore line up as follows: Drake Callender; Julian Gressel, Tomás Avilés, Nicolás Freire, Jordi Alba/Noah Allen; Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, Diego Gómez; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Robert Taylor.
After facing Nashville at Geodis Park, The Herons will have three days to rest up before their next MLS game at home to Montreal Impact (Sunday 10 March, kick-off at 6pm ET). They will then play the second leg of the round-of-16 tie in Florida on Wednesday 13 March.