Messi Makes Triumphant Return as Inter Miami Prepares to Battle Atlas
Inter Miami will kick off their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign facing Liga MX outfit Atlas at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, July 30.
The Herons enter the tournament as the second-seeded team, aiming to recapture the title they claimed during Lionel Messi's memorable debut in 2023.
Following a one-game ban during Miami's scoreless tie with FC Cincinnati for missing the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, Messi and Jordi Alba appear ready to resume their regular positions in the starting eleven.
Javier Mascherano's squad has faced significant strain since participating in the 2025 Club World Cup. Nevertheless, the Herons have displayed some of their finest football this season over recent weeks, with Messi spearheading the charge with four two-goal performances in his previous five outings.
Liga MX club Atlas represents, theoretically, the most manageable opponent Miami will encounter during the tournament's group stage. It's crucial that Mascherano's team secures victory in their opening match to maintain realistic hopes of advancing to the elimination phase.
Here's how the Herons might line up against Atlas for their Leagues Cup opening fixture.
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Atlas (4-4-2)
GK: Rocco Ríos Novo—The Argentine goalkeeper will make his fourth consecutive appearance for Miami, seeking to record a third shutout while Oscar Ustari remains unavailable.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt—The ex-Boca Juniors defender has established himself as indispensable in Mascherano's starting formation, featuring in all but five minutes across Miami's six matches following the Club World Cup.
CB: Tomás Avilés—Avilés delivered an impressive performance in the previous outing, contributing to Miami's clean sheet while proving effective at initiating attacks from deep positions.
CB: Gonzalo Luján—Following his injury-related absence from the Club World Cup, Luján has returned and aims to cement his place in Miami's regular lineup.
LB: Jordi Alba—The ex-Barcelona defender rejoins the starting eleven and will seek to enhance Miami's offensive play with his signature overlapping runs along the left flank. Nevertheless, he must remain vigilant against the threatening Uroš Đurđević defensively.
RM: Tadeo Allende—Allende has netted 10 times in 30 matches since arriving at Miami on loan from Celta Vigo.
CM: Federico Redondo—While Benjamin Cremsachi remains an option, Redondo has featured in three of the past four matches alongside Sergio Busquets in the central midfield pairing.
CM: Sergio Busquets—Busquets will be responsible for controlling Miami's rhythm in possession and retains sufficient ability to dominate the midfield contest against a questionable Atlas team.
LM: Telasco Segovia—The Venezuelan international has found the net three times since the Herons resumed MLS competition following the Club World Cup.
ST: Lionel Messi—The football legend has been in exceptional form lately. He has scored eight times in his previous five matches and will confront a defense that has allowed the same number in their last three contests.
ST: Luis Suárez—The experienced forward will attempt to break a seven-match goalless streak against a vulnerable defensive unit.