Follow usInter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for the club’s final MLS regular-season match against Nashville SC on Saturday, as the captain looks to secure his first Golden Boot in the league.
Messi returned to Miami earlier this week after featuring for Argentina against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium on Tuesday night. Despite the quick turnaround, Mascherano assured that both Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are in good shape.
“Yesterday they trained with us and did a good part of it. Today they will train with us completely,” Mascherano said. “Beyond playing on Tuesday, Messi played for us on Saturday and De Paul didn’t play too many minutes against Venezuela, so this wasn’t an international window of too much wear. They played here, they could rest, they didn’t travel. Normally, when you have four days between games, you can arrive with rest and in good conditions.”
The Inter Miami coach added that “almost everyone is available” for the decisive match, with only David Ruiz and Allen Obando remaining sidelined through injury.
25 goals on the season. 👀
Messi is the new Golden Boot pres. by @Audi leader. pic.twitter.com/0n8HY4HrXZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 12, 2025
Saturday’s encounter carries high stakes for both Messi and the team. The Argentine enters the match leading the Golden Boot race with 26 goals, narrowly ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, who has 24. A win over Nashville would not only help Messi secure the top scorer title but could also ensure home-field advantage for Inter Miami in the upcoming playoffs.
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