The anticipation is palpable in South Florida as Inter Miami CF prepares to face Columbus Crew in a highly anticipated Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season match tonight, Saturday, August 1, 2026. All eyes are on global superstar Lionel Messi, who has recently returned to team training, though his availability for kick-off at 5:00 AM IST at Nu Stadium remains a subject of intense speculation.
Messi’s return to the Inter Miami fold comes after a brief but well-deserved break following Argentina’s thrilling run to the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old forward, alongside national teammate Rodrigo De Paul, was excused from the recent MLS All-Star Game due to a pre-arranged agreement with the league, allowing for adequate rest and recovery.
Will Lionel Messi Play Tonight in Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew MLS 2026 Match?
Speaking on Friday, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged Messi and De Paul’s return to training but was unable to definitively confirm their presence in the starting lineup against Columbus Crew. ‘We’ve started talking, They just got back, so we haven’t really had the opportunity to sit down and have a proper conversation yet,’ Mascherano told reporters. This leaves fans on tenterhooks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner back on the pitch.
The Match-Up: Form & History
Inter Miami enters this fixture in formidable form, consistently performing at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Herons have demonstrated strong results in recent regular season matches, even securing victories in recent outings without Messi, with Luis Suárez continuing to be a key attacking threat.
Columbus Crew, in contrast, comes into this game having shown resilience, most recently securing a victory over rivals FC Cincinnati in the ‘Hell is Real’ derby. In past encounters, Inter Miami has generally held the upper hand against Columbus Crew.
The stage is set for an enthralling encounter as Inter Miami looks to continue its strong season, potentially with their talismanic captain, Lionel Messi, leading the charge. Whether he starts, comes off the bench, or rests, the match promises to be a captivating display of MLS action.