Overview
- Messi has rejoined Inter Miami's starting lineup for the home game at Nu Stadium against DC United with the match set to be shown on Apple TV and refereed by Lukasz Szpala.
- After 27 regular-season games Inter Miami sits third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points and leads MLS with 64 goals scored while carrying a five-game winless stretch in league play.
- Messi has 21 goals this MLS season and is widely viewed as an MVP contender because of his scoring influence and chance-creation for teammates.
- Head coach Cristian 'Kily' González highlighted Messi's daily leadership and high standards for teammates, and published lineups project a front three of Messi, Luis Suárez and Daniel Pintér.
- With seven regular-season matches left each point gains value and Inter Miami hopes the recent Campeones Cup victory and Messi's return will restore consistency and sharpen its playoff push.