Since his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi has led the group to success in two of the most important tournaments they compete in: the Leagues Cup and Main League Soccer. Now, the pending problem is the Concacaf Champions Cup, the place they are going to make their debut this yr towards Nashville SC.
This week, the official Concacaf web site introduced the dates and instances for the Spherical of 16 matches. Inter Miami will make their debut visiting Nashville SC at Geodis Park on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 PM ET.
Precisely one week later, on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM ET, the second leg will happen in Florida. This match will doubtless be the final sport the Herons play at Chase Stadium earlier than the official opening of Miami Freedom Park.
Concerning the competitors format, the group that scores essentially the most objectives over the 2 matches will advance. If tied, the group with extra away objectives could have the benefit. If that also doesn’t resolve the tie, there will likely be quarter-hour of additional time, and if needed, a penalty shootout.
Rodrigo de Paul (L), Lionel Messi (C) and Luis Suarez (R) of Inter Miami wave throughout a coaching session at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel.
Inter Miami and Nashville SC are acquainted foes
The Herons earned their spot within the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Spherical of 16 as one of many 5 seeded taking part golf equipment, which allowed them to skip the opening spherical. Nashville SC, in the meantime, needed to get previous Atletico Ottawa with a 7-0 mixture rating.
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The Spherical of 16 matchup will likely be one other chapter within the latest historical past between the 2 groups. They have been opponents in final yr’s MLS playoffs, requiring a 3rd sport to resolve the sequence and permit Inter Miami to advance to the Jap Convention semifinals. Moreover, in 2024, they confronted one another within the Concacaf Champions Cup Spherical of 16, with the Herons popping out on prime.
How has Messi fared within the Concacaf Champions Cup?
In 2026, Lionel Messi will take part within the Concacaf Champions Cup for the third time. The primary was in 2024, when Inter Miami certified by profitable the Leagues Cup the earlier yr. In that version, the Herons have been eradicated by Monterrey within the quarterfinals.
The Argentine ahead’s second expertise within the continental event got here in 2025, when Inter Miami reached the semifinals however have been eradicated by Vancouver Whitecaps. In whole, Messi has performed 10 matches within the Concacaf Champions Cup, scoring 7 objectives and offering 3 assists.
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