Messi back from the Mundial but set as Inter Miami substitute

Under the bright lights of Inter Miami’s stadium, Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch together, cameras flashing as the Prensa Inter Miami captured the moment. Thirteen days after the World Cup final, the Argentine stars arrived to prepare for Saturday’s clash.

The World Cup final on 19 July saw the Selección fall to España, marking Messi’s last official match for his country. After the defeat, he spent a few days on vacation in Rosario before signing with Inter Miami.

Messi returned to training on Wednesday with Las Garzas, the club’s nickname, and made himself available for the Saturday encounter with Columbus Crew. Nevertheless, the coach confirmed he will begin the match on the bench.

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul is slated to start, partnering new signing Casemiro in the centre of the park, giving him his first post‑World Cup action. De Paul will help anchor the midfield alongside the Brazilian.

Other Argentine players named in the starting eleven are defender Facundo Mura, goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo and midfielder Mateo Silvetti. David Ayala will sit on the bench together with Lionel Messi.

Guillermo Hoyos praised the national team contributors, saying, "Son dos grandes jugadores de fútbol, que hicieron un Mundial maravilloso. Leo fue extraordinario, marcó un camino dentro del torneo. Rodri es todo pulmón y corazón, estamos muy contentos de que estén con nosotros. Les deseamos todo lo mejor para la temporada".

The announced lineup lists Rocco Ríos Novo; Facundo Mura, Fricio Caicedo, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Daniel Pinter; Mateo Silvetti and Luis Suárez. A tweet later shared the starter sheet with the caption “Tonight’s starters”.