Inter Miami vs FC Porto: Will Lionel Messi Play in Today in FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Match?

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In their second match at the Club World Cup 2025, Inter Miami take on FC Porto this Thursday (June 19) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA. Still, fans are anxiously awaiting official word regarding Lionel Messi’s participation in this encounter.

Following a scoreless stalemate in their tournament opener against Al Ahly, this fixture becomes pivotal for the Herons to keep their qualification hopes alive. Porto find themselves in a similar predicament, having also drawn 0-0 against Palmeiras. With Group A hanging in the balance, a victory today could make all the difference for either team’s path to the knockout rounds.

Despite beginning the season on a high, the Herons have struggled to maintain momentum and have now slipped to seventh in the MLS standings. In their last ten fixtures, they’ve only managed three wins, and were also knocked out from the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals by Vancouver Whitecaps during this run.

Even amid the Herons’ shaky form, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has performed impressively, with 10 goals and 5 assists from just 13 games this season. His prior success at the Club World Cup—winning it three times with Barcelona in 2009, 2011, and 2015—brings invaluable experience to a team facing a tough Group A campaign.

Inter Miami vs FC Porto: Will Lionel Messi Feature Tonight in CWC 2025 Match?

Speculation recently emerged around Messi’s availability after he exited early from Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia, just before Inter Miami’s Club World Cup opener versus Al Ahly. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni clarified that the 37-year-old, known for occasional injury concerns, left the pitch only as a precaution. Messi, however, returned to play the full match against the Egyptian side. With no new reports of injuries or fitness issues, he is widely expected to appear in tonight's CWC 2025 game.

Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami’s head coach, has also confirmed Messi’s readiness to face FC Porto, dismissing fears sparked by a viral training clip where Messi was seen touching his left leg, hinting at possible strain. Mascherano addressed the topic directly: “He trained, he completed the whole session… There's no problem, he is fit,” reassuring supporters that the 37-year-old icon is match-ready.

Inter Miami vs FC Porto: Which Players from Inter Miami Will Miss the CWC Match Against Porto?

Although Messi is likely to feature, Inter Miami are missing several key names due to injuries. Star defender Jordi Alba is officially out of the clash, along with midfielder Yannick Bright, goalkeeper Drake Callender, and defenders Gonzalo Lujan and David Ruiz.
Still, the experienced trio of Messi, Suarez, and Busquets will be in action. The projected starting lineup includes Ustari between the sticks, a defensive unit of Weigandt, Falcon, Aviles, and Allen, with Picault, Redondo, Busquets, and Segovia in midfield, supporting Messi and Suarez in attack.