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Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup and will make his third appearance since returning from injury at the Copa America when Inter Miami visits New York City FC at Yankee Stadium this afternoon.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentine World Cup winner, has recovered from a right ankle injury sustained in the Copa America final on July 11.
He has played in two games – scoring two goals and providing an assist in his first game last Saturday at home against Philadelphia. After playing less than 30 minutes last Wednesday in Atlanta, Messi should be in good shape to play extended periods of play in the Bronx.
“The most important thing is that his ankle reacts well and that he then physically gets into the rhythm from game to game,” Inter Miami coach Javier Morales said of Messi on Friday.
“We know he is a player who always wants to be there and we will use him whenever we can because the truth is that not only does he improve us a lot, but we also enjoy having him in our team and on the pitch.”
Follow live updates on Messi’s game against New York City FC here.
The Inter Miami vs. NYCFC game begins at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and will be streamed live on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.
Yes, Messi is expected to play, Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales confirmed on Friday. He is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup.
Messi was announced as a starter for Inter Miami’s game against New York City.
Messi scores an assist, Luis Suarez finds the back of the net and Julian Gressel scores a third in Inter Miami’s 3-0 win over NYCFC. – Safid Deen, Reporter by Lionel Messi
Messi returns to the New York area
While today’s game takes place at Yankee Stadium, Messi returns to the New York area after playing two Copa America games at MetLife Stadium in late June/July.
Messi’s corner kick sparked the goal in a 1-0 win over Chile during the group stage on June 25, and Messi scored his only goal of the Copa America in the semi-final against Canada on July 9.
Inter Miami leads the MLS table
Inter Miami remains atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with 63 points. If Inter Miami wins the Supporters’ Shield before the MLS Cup playoffs begin, it would be the club’s second title in the Messi era. And it could be a catalyst for a third, following last year’s Leagues Cup title shortly after Messi’s arrival to the team.
Beckham talks about Messi before NYCFC game
Lionel Messi has been playing in Major League Soccer for over a year, and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is still impressed with the club’s signing of the Argentine World Cup winner.
“I think from my experience and my family’s experience, that’s exactly what Leo was after. He just wanted a place where his family could come together and have a great life. And that was really important to Leo,” Beckham said Thursday at Stella Artois’ “Let’s Do Dinner” event in New York.
