Messi faces penultimate test with Inter Miami before World Cup 2026
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami return to Cincinnati with playoff memories on their side, but past regular-season disasters still linger.
Inter Miami returns to action after the emphatic victory Guillermo Hoyos’ side secured last weekend in Canada against Toronto FC.
Now the challenge for Lionel Messi and company will be far tougher. Despite arriving full of confidence, the Fort Lauderdale club faces a difficult road test against Cincinnati, a team that, even without its best start to the season, has consistently made life difficult for visiting opponents – especially Inter Miami.
Although the all-time series remains relatively even, with Miami holding seven wins to Cincinnati’s five alongside two draws, the Orange and Blue have recently become a recurring headache for The Herons.
Still, recent history also offers Miami some positive memories in Cincinnati. During last season’s playoffs, The Herons earned a dominant 4-0 victory at TQL Stadium thanks to goals from Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi and Mateo Silvetti.
Before that postseason triumph, however, Miami suffered two painful defeats in Cincinnati – a 3-0 loss in July 2025 and a crushing 6-1 defeat in 2024. Those two visits, prior to the playoff win, turned into nightmare outings for the South Florida side.
How Inter Miami and Cincinnati are entering the game
Miami arrives riding high after defeating Toronto on the road, an environment in which The Herons have looked far more convincing than they have at home, where they are still searching for their first win.
At the moment, Miami sits third in the Eastern Conference with 22 points. A victory, combined with losses by Nashville and the New England Revolution, could lift the Florida club into first place in the standings.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati enters the matchup in sixth place with 16 points, the result of four wins, four draws and four losses so far this season.
Probable lineups for Cincinnati and Inter Miami
Cincinnati: Roman Celentano; Andrei Chirila, Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson; Pavel Bucha, Bryan Ramírez, Samuel Gidi, Gerardo Valenzuela; Evander; Kevin Denkey, Kenji Mboma.
Inter Miami: Dayne St. Clair; Sergio Reguilón, Micael, Gonzalo Luján, Facundo Mura; Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia; Germán Berterame; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez.
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