Lionel Messi was left out of Inter Miami’s starting lineup for their final regular-season match against the New York Red Bulls, with head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez opting to rest the Argentine captain. The decision is precautionary rather than injury-related, coming just hours after Messi returned from Spain.
Messi traveled to Oviedo on October 23 to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports and flew back to the United States immediately following the ceremony, leaving minimal time for recovery or training ahead of the match at Sports Illustrated Stadium. With Miami having already clinched a playoff berth and Nashville SC securing the Supporters’ Shield—eliminating Miami from contention for the top overall seed—the club’s focus has shifted to locking down second place in the Eastern Conference and sharpening their form for the postseason as defending MLS Cup champions.
Messi remains available for selection and is expected to feature off the bench in the second half, though there is a possibility he does not play at all. “We should feel proud that he, through his own initiative, wants to be with us and wants to play,” Gonzalez said of his captain, who scored twice in Miami’s previous outing, a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United.
Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls Confirmed Lineups
In Messi’s absence, Facundo Farias earns the start in attack while Luis Suarez wears the captain’s armband, with German Berterame completing the front three.
Inter Miami enter the contest seeking a fourth consecutive win and second place in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, while the Red Bulls, managed by Michael Bradley, sit 10th in the league table with 36 points.
Inter Miami (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Gonzalo Lujan, Casemiro, Micael, Sergio Reguilon; Rodrigo De Paul, David Ayala, Matias Galarza; Facundo Farias, Luis Suarez (C), German Berterame.
New York Red Bulls (4-3-3): Ethan Horvath; Dylan Nealis (C), Julian Bazan, Tim Parker, Devin Padelford; Mohammed Sofo, Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor; Cade Cowell, Julian Hall, Jorge Ruvalcaba.