CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
Will Messi’s Inter Miami go to Mexico in CONCACAF Champions Cup in April?
If Inter Miami reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals, the Herons could well face a team from the Liga MX.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami could be heading to Mexico in the CONCACAF Champions Cup next month.
The Herons, who face Nashville in the round of 16, will take on either Cincinnati or Liga MX club Monterrey if they reach the quarter-finals.
Miami, Monterrey well placed for Champions Cup QFs
Miami and Nashville drew 2-2 in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Thursday, the Floridians coming back from two down to level the tie in stoppage time. After Jacob Shaffelburg’s first-half double, Messi reduced the deficit shortly after the break, before Luis Suárez netted a last-gasp equaliser.
Monterrey, meanwhile, lead Cincinnati 1-0 after the opening leg, thanks to a goal by former Orange and Blue striker Brandon Vázquez.
Miami and Monterrey’s round-of-16 ties are to be decided this midweek, with both enjoying home advantage in their second legs. If the pair advance to the last eight, they will face off in the first leg on 2, 3, or 4 April, before meeting in the return on 9, 10 or 11 April.
Has Messi played against Mexican clubs before?
Messi has faced Mexican opposition in a competitive match on two occasions in his career.
As a Barcelona player, he came up against Atlante in the semi-finals of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, scoring once as the Blaugrana triumphed 3-1.
Fourteen years later, the Argentina captain made his Miami debut in a July 2023 Leagues Cup match-up with Cruz Azul - a game that saw the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient curl in a memorable free-kick winner in the 95th minute.
Inter Miami vs Nashville: date, time, how to watch
Inter Miami host Nashville at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday 13 March 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch on Fox Sports 2 and ViX.
Monterrey vs Cincinnati: date, time, how to watch
Monterrey welcome Cincinnati to Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Thursday 14 March 2024. Kick-off is at 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT. In the States, soccer fans can tune in on Fox Sports 2 and ViX.
Messi misses Montréal match
Ahead of Inter Miami’s Champions Cup second leg against Nashville, Messi was rested for the Floridians’ MLS clash with Montréal on Sunday, as Gerardo Martino’s men suffered their first defeat of the league season.
Having played every minute of Miami’s MLS campaign before this weekend, the 36-year-old had agreed with head coach Martino that he would sit out the clash at Chase Stadium.
In Messi’s absence, goals by Fernando Álvarez, Matías Cóccaro and Sunusi Ibrahim secured a 3-2 victory for Montréal, with Leonardo Campana and Jordi Alba replying for the hosts.