FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - MARCH 10: Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) participates in an Inter Miami Training Session at Florida Blue Training Center on March 10, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Is Lionel Messi Playing Tonight for Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC In Concacaf Champions Cup?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 11:30 AM ET

Lionel Messi will play for Inter Miami against Nashville SC on Wednesday, March 11, in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.

Messi, 38, is fit and available after featuring regularly for Inter Miami in recent weeks and remains the focal point of the team’s attack.

The Argentine star comes into this continental tie in good form, having played a leading role in Inter Miami’s strong start to the 2026 MLS season and continuing to draw record attendances on the road.

The former Barcelona and PSG player is expected to start and wear the captain’s armband at Geodis Park as Inter Miami make their Concacaf Champions Cup debut against a familiar opponent.

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball during the MLS match between D.C. United and Inter Miami CF at M&T Bank Stadium on March 07, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland.Photo by Greg Fiume/MLS via Getty Images

While Messi’s team qualified for this stage of the tournament automatically as the 2025 MLS champion, Nashville had to defeat Atletico Ottawa in the first round, winning 7-0 on aggregate.

In their most recent match, Inter Miami beat D.C. United 2-1 with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Messi. Nashville, meanwhile, beat Minnesota United 3-1 with two goals from Sam Surridge and one from Cristian Espinoza.

Inter Miami heads into the clash on the back of positive domestic results in MLS and with Messi once again at the centre of everything in attack. The Herons will look to take an advantage back to Florida, where the second leg will be played one week later.

After this game, both teams will meet again on March 18 to decide who advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face either Liga MX side Club America or the Philadelphia Union.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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