Will Lionel Messi play tonight for Inter Miami vs LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals second leg?

The Herons will enter the game with a one-goal deficit from first-leg.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will hope to turn the one-goal deficit around tonight when they host LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.

With four victories in their first six league games, the Herons are off to a good start to the season and now sit second in the Eastern Conference with 14 points.

The comeback game. See you tomorrow at @chase_stadium 🏟️😤 pic.twitter.com/HUCxfTAdfu

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 8, 2025

However, Lionel Messi’s equalizer helped salvage a point after Federico Bernardeschi’s opening goal, and they were held to a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC at home over the weekend.

The first-leg setback is still the only loss Javier Mascherano’s team has suffered this season, and they will be confident they can overturn the 1-0 deficit given their home patch record over the previous 12 months.

Since their first encounter in March 2020, however, Miami have also found LAFC to be a challenging opponent, as the visitors have won all four of their meetings.

The home team will be hoping to win this match again and secure a position in the semi-finals because history favours them in this matchup.

Lionel Messi has remained Herons’ most influential player on the pitch. The Argentine’s goal in their previous helped his side secure a draw. He will now look to lead Inter Miami to a win against LAFC after their 1-0 defeat last week.

Also Read: Inter Miami vs LAFC Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Concacaf Champions Cup 2025

Will Lionel Messi play tonight?

Messi is fit and was also spotted in team training. Tonight, Inter Miami will rely on Messi’s brilliance to lead them to the semi-final matchup with LAFC.

Additionally, they will have the advantage of playing at home, and since they are only behind by one goal, there will be hope that they may overcome the deficit tonight.

One mission in mind. #MIAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/XJa20DnuAf

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 8, 2025

All eyes will be on Messi to once again show his impact in the match and the forward has remained prolific since the start of the new season despite missing a few matches.

Messi has played in just four MLS games this season but boasts an impressive record with three goals and two assists. Meanwhile, in CONCACAF he has three goals in four games and tonight he will be aiming to increase his goal tally.

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