FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi has scored a goal and delivered an assist for Inter Miami in Tuesday night’s match against the Seattle Sounders at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami leads 2-0 after the first half in a rematch of the Leagues Cup final, which saw Messi’s side lose 3-0 in Seattle on Aug. 31 – a match that ended with several players suspended after a postgame scuffle and spitting incident involving Luis Suarez.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s Inter Miami vs. Seattle match tonight:
Inter Miami 3, Seattle 0: Ian Fray scores header goal
Inter Miami’s Ian Fray scored in the 52nd minute, finishing with a header in front of the net after a corner kick from Rodrigo De Paul.
Inter Miami 2, Seattle 0: Messi scores sliding goal to double lead
Lionel Messi has found the back of the net again, sliding to score a goal in the 41st minute and doubling Inter Miami’s lead against Seattle. Messi scored following a stellar pass ahead of the defense by Jordi Alba.
It’s the 20th MLS goal of the season for Messi, who also has an assist in this match.
Inter Miami 1, Seattle 0: Messi misses off the left post
Messi missed what should have been an easy goal, using the inside of his left foot to hit the left post in the 28th minute. Messi received a long pass from Sergio Busquets, and allowed two Seattle defenders to close in to remain onsides. However, he was unable to provide the finish.
Inter Miami 1, Seattle 0: Messi assists Jordi Alba in the 12th minute
Jordi Alba scored for Inter Miami, providing the finish on an assist by Lionel Messi in the 12th minute to take a 1-0 lead against the Seattle Sounders.
The play was sparked by a takeaway from midfielder Yannick Bright as Messi pushed the pace on the possession with Alba streaking down the left side.
Messi in Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Seattle Sounders
Messi arrives to Inter Miami match
Is Messi playing today?
Messi is expected to play against Seattle. His status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup before the match.
What time is Inter Miami vs. Seattle match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Seattle match?
The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Buy Inter Miami tickets on StubHub
Inter Miami vs. Seattle betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: +100
Draw: +280
Seattle: +220
Over/under: 3.5 goals
Here’s the latest on Messi
Messi missed a Panenka penalty kick, which inspired Charlotte’s 3-0 win on Sept. 13. It was a quirky miss as he tried to trick MLS goalkeeper of the year Kristian Khalina on the play. Charlotte’s Idan Toklomati scored a hat trick in the win.
A positive for Messi: The Argentine World Cup champion appears healthy again after a hamstring injury hampered him in August.
What to know about Inter Miami and Seattle
Inter Miami will play its second match in a stretch of seven in 22 days. They’ll also be without Luis Suarez, who will miss his second match in a three-game MLS suspension after spitting on a Seattle staff member after the Leagues Cup loss. Suarez was also issued a six-match Leagues Cup suspension for the incident.
Inter Miami has fallen to eighth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 46 points from 26 matches this season, but has four matches in hand to play after participating in the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup. While they can make up ground in the standings, they also need to win to do so. They’ve been outscored 6-0 in their last two matches.
The Sounders were on a roll winning Leagues Cup, but settled for a 2-2 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday. Seattle is fourth in the West behind San Diego, Minnesota and Vancouver.
However, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano insists tempers will be lighter in this MLS regular season match after their Leagues Cup scuffle.
“That’s in the past. Games don’t repeat themselves, even if we face the same opponent, it’s a different type of game due to a different competition, different circumstances, and different context,” Mascherano told reporters on Monday.
“What’s important for us is trying to play a good game and, above all, get a good result, so we can get a win again to get back into the top positions and, above all, to rebuild the confidence this team has had.”
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 added: “Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami
Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m.