Lafc Vs Inter Miami: Messi cleared for season opener as both sides arrive with high stakes
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for the MLS season opener, a high-profile Lafc vs inter miami matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that pits two teams with title ambitions against each other.
Lafc Vs Inter Miami: Mascherano confirms Messi available for Los Angeles
Mascherano, Inter Miami's head coach, said Messi will be available to feature in the season opener against Los Angeles FC on Saturday night. He added: "Messi is fine; he's been training at the same level as the rest of the team all week, " and that the forward "has been doing well and has had very positive feelings. So, he's going away well prepared, just like the rest of the team. "
Messi's left hamstring strain and preseason schedule changes
Messi's participation had been in doubt after he suffered a muscle strain in his left hamstring during the preseason game against Barcelona SC on February 7. He started that friendly but left the pitch in the 58th minute to watch from the sidelines. Inter Miami later rescheduled the final preseason friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico to Feb. 26 from the original Feb. 13 date. Since the injury Messi has returned to training with the rest of the squad.
Mascherano names the travelling group and highlights new signings
Mascherano emphasized that "all players who traveled with the team" to California will be available for selection. He specifically cited newly signed Designated Player Germán Berterame and now-permanent Inter Miami figure Tadeo Allende as among those available. The coach also warned that Miami expects a difficult game, noting that "they are two great teams" and that, on paper, both sides "should be contenders. "
LAFC's lineup, absences and recent form at the Coliseum
The match is expected to draw about 70, 000 fans to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where a number of headline names are set to feature: Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez, Germán Berterame, Stephen Eustáquio and Denis Bouanga are listed among the star attractions. LAFC have already shown sharp form, beating Honduran side Real España 6–1 in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
LAFC's predicted front three sees David Martínez partnering Son and Bouanga, with Stephen Eustáquio, Mark Delgado and Tim Tillman operating in midfield. The published predicted lineup for LAFC reads: Lloris; Palencia, Porteous, Tafari, Hollingshead; Eustáquio, Delgado; Martínez, Tillman, Bouanga; Son. The club will be without center back Aaron Long as he continues working his way back from an Achilles' tendon rupture, and new signing Jacob Shaffelburg is recovering from surgery on a hernia. The team arrives under new manager Marc Dos Santos, whose brief centers on continued growth and championship aspirations.
Championship stakes, schedule load and pundit split ahead of opening weekend
Inter Miami enter the 2026 campaign as the reigning MLS champions, having lifted the 2025 MLS Cup by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club will now contest the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Leagues Cup and the Campeones Cup in addition to the MLS regular season. For Miami, 2026 is framed around defending the MLS Cup and chasing other trophies, including the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Just 78 days after being crowned MLS Cup champions in Fort Lauderdale’s December heat, Inter Miami kick off their title defence in Los Angeles. Pundits are already divided: Herculez Gomez and Mau Pedroza are split between Inter Miami and LAFC for the winners of the 2026 MLS Cup (2: 12).
With Messi cleared to travel and key names listed for both teams, the Lafc vs inter miami opener shapes up as one of the most closely watched matches of the opening weekend.
