Lionel Messi is set to make his return on the field, although his playing time may be limited during Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night.
Messi is not starting and will begin the game on the bench as a substitute. His former Barcelona teammates, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, are also among the substitutes, while Sergio Busquets is unavailable due to yellow card accumulations.
Live updates of the match will be provided by USA TODAY Sports.
In the second half, just minutes after play resumed, Messi and several teammates who were initially on the bench began warming up, indicating a potential appearance in the match. At this point, Inter Miami is leading Atlanta United 1-0, thanks to a goal by David Ruiz in the 29th minute.
The match is set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) and can be viewed on MLS Season Pass through Apple TV.
The decision for Messi not to start is part of a strategy from coach Tata Martino, as this is Inter Miami’s second match within a week. After facing Atlanta, the team will compete against New York City FC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Messi made a strong comeback in his last match, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a 3-1 victory against Philadelphia, marking his first game since the Copa America final on July 14, from which he returned after recovering from a right ankle ligament injury. Martino confirmed Messi is fit for travel and available for the upcoming games but emphasized the need to manage his workload.
In expressing his joy about returning to play, Messi noted the challenges posed by Miami’s heat and humidity but expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating he was eager to get back on the field after a lengthy absence.
Additionally, Messi’s Inter Miami jersey continues to enjoy immense popularity, leading the league in sales for the second consecutive year, with Suarez, Busquets, and Alba also ranking highly.
As for the Supporters’ Shield, which honors the team with the best MLS record, Inter Miami is currently in the lead with 59 points, though they are facing significant competition from the second-place L.A. Galaxy, which has accumulated 55 points.