Messi, Inter Miami face NYCFC in huge late-season clash: Live updates

Lionel Messi is expected to play with Inter Miami against New York City FC on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Citi Field, in Queens, N.Y.

It’s a matchup between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the Eastern Conference – with a shot to move up to No. 3 on the line.

Messi enters the NYCFC match tied with LAFC star Denis Bouanga for the MLS Golden Boot lead with 22 goals, after scoring a brace with an assist in his last match – a 3-2 win against D.C. United on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez also will play in his first match following a three-match MLS suspension after a spitting incident in the Leagues Cup final.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NYCFC vs. Inter Miami match:

Is Messi playing tonight?

Messi has traveled to New York and is expected to play, coach Javier Mascherano said before Tuesday’s training session. Messi’s playing status for the NYCFC match will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before kickoff on Wednesday.

How to watch New York City FC vs. Inter Miami live stream?

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

When is New York City FC vs. Inter Miami match?

The match will be on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).

Where is the New York City FC vs. Inter Miami match?

The match will be played at Citi Field in Queens, NY – home of the New York Mets.

Will Inter Miami clinch MLS Cup Playoff spot?

Inter Miami will clinch a spot into the MLS Cup Playoffs with a win or draw against New York City FC.

What to know about Inter Miami and NYCFC

Inter Miami will play two matches on the road this week, with six matches to play until the end of the 2025 regular season.

Inter Miami is fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 52 points from 28 matches this season, but has three matches in hand to play after participating in the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup.

Luis Suarez returns from a three-game MLS suspension after spitting on a Seattle staff member after the Leagues Cup loss.

NYCFC is fourth in the East with 53 points, and has already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.

NYCFC vs. Inter Miami betting odds

Here are the betting odds for today’s match, according to BetMGM:

• NYCFC: +130
• Draw: +280
• Inter Miami: +165
• Over/under: 3.5 goals

Lionel Messi Inter Miami contract update

Messi is also nearing a contract extension with Inter Miami to keep him in MLS and the United States for at least two more seasons, USA TODAY Sports reported on Sept. 18.

Will Messi play in 2026 World Cup?

Messi has yet to declare whether he will play in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. But he did offer some insight after the Argentina match earlier this month.

“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said on Sept. 4.

“Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match. That’s it taking it day by day, going by how I feel. Day by day, trying to feel good and above all, being honest with myself,” Messi added.

“When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So, we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.”

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

• Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET
• Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 10: Argentina vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Miami)
• Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Oct. 13: Puerto Rico vs. Argentina, 7 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Chicago)
• Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m. ET