Messi and Inter Miami Target NYCFC Following Tough Tournament Exit
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates visited the White House this week. President Donald Trump hosted the MLS champions during the trip.
Tournament exit and Messi milestone
Inter Miami bowed out of the Concacaf Champions Cup in the Round of 16. The tie finished 1-1 and the club was eliminated on away goals.
Messi scored his 900th career goal in the second leg against Nashville last Wednesday. The milestone came amid a disappointing tournament exit.
Coach Javier Mascherano said the squad must accept the result and move forward. He added the team should treat the defeat as an anomaly.
Scoring struggles and squad form
Inter Miami have scored seven goals across all competitions so far. Messi has four of those goals.
Other scorers this season include Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia and Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul was absent from Saturday’s practice.
- Record so far: 2 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss across competitions.
- Germán Berterame has yet to score since joining for $15 million from CF Monterrey.
- Tadeo Allende, who scored nine goals during last season’s title run, remains without a goal.
- Luis Suárez is also scoreless in limited minutes.
Injuries
Several players will miss the trip to New York.
Rodrigo De Paul is sidelined with a muscle contusion. Maxi Falcón and Sergio Reguilón are out with knee injuries.
Match details and upcoming schedule
Inter Miami travel to Yankee Stadium to face New York City FC on Sunday, March 22. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET and the game will stream on Apple TV.
The teams last met in the MLS Eastern Conference final, when Inter Miami won 5-1 on November 29, 2025.
Messi and Inter Miami target NYCFC following tough tournament exit. He is expected to play Sunday before joining Argentina for two friendlies later this month.
Argentina face Mauritania on March 27 at 6:15 p.m. ET and Zambia on March 31 at 6:15 p.m. ET. Inter Miami return to MLS action at home against Austin FC on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Filmogaz.com will provide further coverage and updates ahead of the match.
