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Lionel Messi set to play in Miami's season opener in Los Angeles
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Herculez Gomez and Mau Pedroza are split between Inter Miami and LAFC for the winners of the 2026 MLS Cup. (2:12)
Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Lionel Messi will be available to feature in the Major League Soccer season opener against Los Angeles FC on Saturday night.
"Messi is fine; he's been training at the same level as the rest of the team all week," said Mascherano on Friday. "He's been doing well and has had very positive feelings. So, he's going away well prepared, just like the rest of the team."
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Lionel Messi's Inter Miami came into the 2026 season with a ton of new shiny toys, but it was a familiar LAFC who dominated in their season opener – crushing the Herons in a 3-0 rout in front of an MLS-record crowd of 75,000 at LA Memorial Coliseum. Denis Bouanga sparked an impressive performance for the Black and Gold, with an impressive goal and assist in the second half.
Miami, the reigning champions, entered the season having seemingly addressed last year’s weaknesses, adding high-profile pieces such as Germán Berterame and Dayne St. Clair at both ends of the pitch. Yet LAFC, largely unchanged in attack, leaned on the established chemistry between Son Heung-Min and Bouanga to overwhelm the visitors.
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Heung-min Son vs Lionel Messi: How do MLS biggest superstars compare?
On Saturday, Major League Soccer will return in earnest, and the season is off to a bang as LAFC, with Heung-min Son, will host Inter Miami CF with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum. A historic venue that rivals the legendary Rose Bowl, the Coliseum will host its third Olympic Games in 2028. But while the Coliseum has hosted countless international games and was also home to the North American Soccer League's LA Aztecs, this will be the first time an MLS game will be held at the venue.
Club Comparison
Los Angeles FC
Inter Miami CF
MLS
MLS
€68.20m
Market Value
€84.88m
First Tier
League Level
First Tier
€27.84m
Expenditures 25/26
€39.00m
Marc Dos Santos
Managers
Javier Mascherano
Full Club Comparison
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