Messi will play against Cincinnati for only the second time since joining Inter Miami and is looking for his first career goal against them. Messi did convert a penalty kick in a shootout win for Miami on Aug. 23, 2023, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

Making up the rest of the starting lineup for the Herons is Oscar Ustari in goal, Jordia Alba, Tomas Avilés, Maximiliano Falcón, and Marcelo Weigandt in the defense, Tadeo Allende, Sergio Buesquets, Federico Redondo, and Rodríguez in the midfield, and Luis Suárez up top.

Another close friend of Lionel Messi will soon play in South Florida. Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has agreed to contract terms with Inter Miami, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi has played 90-plus minutes in 14 consecutive games heading into Inter Miami home game vs. Nashville on Saturday.

Lionel Messi could soon reunite with one of his closest friends at Inter Miami, as the club nears a strategic loan-to-buy deal for the star midfielder.