Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup for today’s Inter Miami match against Columbus Crew in Cleveland.
The match at Huntington Bank Field, home of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, begins at 4:30 p.m. ET. At least 60,000 fans are expected in attendance. And it will be a matchup between two of the best clubs from the MLS Eastern Conference.
Messi and Inter Miami will return to action for their first match in six days — after Messi played every minute in Inter Miami’s last four matches in a span of 11 days. They have three more matches to end the month of April.
Messi fans: Consider this match as another opportunity for the Argentine World Cup champion to maintain his level and play against an MLS Eastern Conference rival instead of an opportunity to rest.
Inter Miami and Columbus Crew are the two remaining unbeaten teams in MLS this season. Columbus enters the match in first place with 18 points in the standings (from five wins and three draws), while Inter Miami is fourth with 15 points (from four wins, three draws) despite playing one fewer league match. The result will surely leave some playoff implications later this season.
Follow along here as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from today’s match:
How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Is Lionel Messi playing today in Cleveland?
Messi was announced as a starter in the Inter Miami starting lineup before the game.
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew recent history
In Messi’s only match against Columbus, he scored two goals as Inter Miami clinched the MLS Supporters’ Shield last season in their last matchup on Oct. 2, 2024.
Will Lionel Messi play in World Cup 2026?
Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star, said he thinks about playing in the next World Cup but will first consider his health before reaching a final decision.
“The truth is, if you stop and think about it, it feels far away, but at the same time, time flies. … I’ll see how I feel. Of course I think about it, but I don’t want to set goals either,” Messi said during an interview with Simplemente Futbol, released on April 17.
How to watch MLS games: Xfinity, DirecTV, T-Mobile
Soccer fans with Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV can subscribe and watch MLS Season Pass through the TV providers. Xfinity customers can access MLS games within the channel guide on X1, the Xfinity Stream app, and the X1 Sports app. DirecTV customers can find MLS games on channels 480-495. T-Mobile users can also access MLS Season Pass for free.
Messi shares MLS Season Pass free trial
Lionel Messi has shared a link for a one-month free trial to MLS Season Pass: Apple.co/MessiGift.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
April 24: Vancouver vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
April 27: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 5 p.m. ET (MLS)
April 30: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET