MLS

Time almost has run out for Inter Miami to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, so all eyes will turn to Lionel Messi when the club hosts FC Cincinnati on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Will Messi return to the pitch this evening? Signs look good, but nothing is confirmed so far.

Messi aggravated a scar tissue injury in his leg on Sept. 7 when playing for Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match. He tried to play in Miami's win over Toronto FC on Sept. 20 but exited after 37 minutes and hasn't played since.

NEWCASTLE — A rampant Newcastle United put in a stellar showing to secure a superb 4-1 victory over French champions Paris Saint-Germain in their first Champions League home match in 20 years on Wednesday.

In a red-hot atmosphere in the north east, PSG had no answer to the relentless hosts who raced into a 17th-minute lead through former MLS star Miguel Almirón.

Miguel Almirón vs PSG

SUPER MIGGY!

New York City FC are prepared for possibly facing Lionel Messi for the first time.

Suddenly ascending, NYCFC hope they can do enough to get the crucial three points that come with a victory Saturday night when they visit Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with Messi questionable with a leg injury.

Tigres defeated LAFC in the Campeones Cup on penalty kicks Wednesday night 4-2 with Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán stopping two of LA's penalties.

The game was played at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. After the game Guzmán took it upon himself to troll the home fans and celebrate in front of the crowd. They were less than pleased and proceeded to hurl objects at him.

Guzmán was unphased and even managed to catch a water bottle that was thrown.

This guy is good with his hands. Must be a goalkeeper or something.

Griffin Dorsey and Amine Biassi scored before halftime and the Houston Dynamo won their second U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Wednesday at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Inter Miami played the final without injured stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.

When will Messi return for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami will wait until the "last moment" to see if Lionel Messi is fit to play in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo, coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said.

Messi was substituted in Inter's league match against Toronto FC before halftime with an unspecified injury, and missed Sunday's clash against rivals Orlando City.

The Argentina captain is a doubt for the U.S. Open Cup final when his team will aim to claim their second title after winning the Leagues Cup last month.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino confirmed Friday that star forward Lionel Messi will miss Sunday's match at Orlando City as he deals with a scar tissue issue from an injury with the Argentina national team.

Messi, 36, and defender Jordi Alba did not practice Friday after they both exited in the first half of Wednesday's 4-0 win over visiting Toronto FC due to what Martino called muscle fatigue.

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba departed with apparent injuries during what might have been a costly 4-0 win for Inter Miami over visiting Toronto FC on Wednesday.

Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi injury

pic.twitter.com/xz3cRiwbpx

— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) September 21, 2023

Lionel Messi reappeared for Inter Miami in training on Monday, Sept. 19 after playing (and scoring an outrageous free kick against Ecuador) for Argentina in the international break and one small new detail about the No. 10 has fans thinking we might already know who’s winning the upcoming 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Inter Miami travel to Atlanta for their second league meeting of the season against the United on Saturday.

Lionel Messi has been involved in 16 Miami goals in 11 games across all competitions since debuting with the club on July 21. Messi has 11 goals and five assists in that span.

But he won't be playing in the match, multiple media outlets reported. Coming off of duty with Argentina's national team, Messi did not make the trip to Atlanta.

Why isn't Messi playing vs Atlanta?

Reason: Fatigue