After playing for their national teams, Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and other teammates return to Inter Miami to prepare for the decisive clash against Cincinnati in the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Inter Miami returns to training with Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and the other key players after the FIFA break, looking ahead to Sunday’s highly anticipated semifinal clash in the MLS Eastern Conference against Cincinnati.
The pressure is on for the team, who are seeking to overcome their early elimination in 2024 and now face a “win or go home” situation in the playoffs. The Miami Herald points out that recent history is not on the side of Messi’s group: in July, Inter Miami fell 3-0 at TQL Stadium and also drew at home (0-0), even with a depleted squad.
The newspaper also detailed how Messi’s international duty with Argentina — including the friendly in Angola — fueled a productive atmosphere and the star’s leadership upon his return to the squad in the USA.
Another highlight is the MLS’s announcement that it will align its calendar with the international standard from 2027, a move seen as strategic to facilitate negotiations, promote competitiveness, and attract more players and partners to North American soccer.
