Inter Miami will host the Portland Timbers at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, today. Inter Miami could top the Eastern Conference with a win today.
Inter Miami are currently third in the Eastern Conference table with 25 points and have two wins in a row ahead of this match. Inter Miami will look to get their first win in their new stadium.
Earlier this week, Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3 away from home, with Lionel Messi scoring two goals. Messi played the full game and reached 11 goals and four assists in 12 MLS games this season.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal with teammates during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Carter/MLS via Getty Images)Photo by Chris Carter/MLS via Getty Images
Messi played the full match against FC Cincinnati earlier this week and suffered no injuries. All signs suggest that Messi is expected to play against the Portland Timbers tonight.
Will Lionel Messi start for Inter Miami vs. the Portland Timbers?
Lionel Messi is match fit and is expected to start for Inter Miami against the Portland Timbers at Nu Stadium. The match would mark his 13th appearance for Inter Miami in the MLS this season.
Messi is the third top goalscorer in the MLS at the moment, and is two goals behind the top goalscorer of the season so far, which is Hugo Cuypers from the Chicago Fire (13 goals).
Messi scored and assisted in his last three games for Inter Miami in the MLS. Messi has eight goal contributions in his last three games.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
