The Culture & Clobber Axis: Yamal's new boots, Rashford & more

'Embarrassing' Walker has become the face of City's crisis

I miss Sam Kerr

EPL legend's son emerging as City's academy goal machine

Europe, Saudi or MLS? Rashford's potential destinations - ranked

Guardiola working 'more obsessively' for solution to struggles

Man Utd fans unfurl banner telling Rashford to leave

What is Bayindir doing?! Man Utd comeback killed by goalkeeper gaffes

'Keep your mouth shut' - Carragher criticises Rashford for comments

Rooney reveals Plymouth 'training harder' in bid to save job

Alexander-Arnold sent explosive warning by Carragher

Sheffield United's £100m US takeover almost complete

Rarely-seen Chelsea midfielder wants out of Stamford Bridge

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine nursing a knock after international duty</li><li>Played no part in disappointing defeat to Atlanta</li><li>Will be drafted back in for late play-off push</li></ul>This page contains affiliate links. When you subscribe through the links provided, we may earn a commission.<a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank">Sign up here for MLS Season Pass through Apple TV and watch every MLS match, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami!</a>

‘Can’t miss more points’ – Why Toronto FC expect to face Lionel Messi after rare break for Inter Miami superstar in MLS

The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-erling-haaland-struggle-beat-lionel-messi-ballon-dor-richard-dunne-goat-rivalry-kylian-mbappe/blt37326568c336d615" target="_blank">seven-time Ballon d’Or winner</a> has been enjoying a rare rest period with club and country, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/worse-consequences-why-lionel-messi-left-out-inter-miami-defeat-atlanta-united-tata-martino-artificial-pitch/bltd8254b56351f2044" target="_blank">picked up a slight knock while away on 2026 World Cup qualifying duty</a> with Argentina. No risks were taken on his fitness when Inter Miami faced Atlanta United over the weekend.

WHAT HAPPENED?

They <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dont-care-about-lionel-messi-how-atlanta-united-ignored-inter-miami-circus-everything-about-absent-argentine/blt73460499a8cd396c" target="_blank">lost that game 5-2</a> – with Jordi Alba also absent – and now have a seven-point gap to bridge across just seven games in order to make the post-season. With that in mind, Toronto are expecting to come up against Messi when heading to DRV PNK Stadium. Veteran playmaker Victor Vazquez, who spent time in the famed La Masia academy system at Barcelona alongside Messi, has told reporters: “I think he’s going to be ready Wednesday because he plays in front of his fans again. And also because they can’t miss more points. They need the points … we really need it also. That’s why I say it’s going to be a fun game for us and for the supporters.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Interim coach Terry Dunfield also believes that Inter Miami will return their talismanic captain to the starting XI in midweek with so much on the line. He said: “We’re hoping to see Messi. I think since he’s come to the league, his work has been incredible. Not only individually but how he’s risen the stock of Inter Miami and then his team-mates around him but also the stock of the league.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Messi has scored 11 goals through as many appearances for Inter Miami, helping them to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/unplayable-lionel-messi-ultimate-first-impression-nashville-boss-inspiring-inter-miami-leagues-cup-glory/blt2dc124fc5defc69a " target="_blank">historic Leagues Cup triumph</a> – which made him the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">most decorated player in history</a> – the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inspired-inter-miami-super-crack-mode-tata-martino-impact-us-open-cup-final/blt3b28687dbc4fa0f7 " target="_blank">final of the U.S. Open Cup</a> and to within sight of a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/anything-can-happen-inter-miami-lionel-messi-believe-mls-play-off-bid-10-point-gap/blt1d0bfee2983280aa " target="_blank">place in the Eastern Conference play-offs</a>.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

‘Can’t miss more points’ – Why Toronto FC expect to face Lionel Messi after rare break for Inter Miami superstar in MLS | Goal.com English Kuwait

Toronto FC are expecting to face Lionel Messi in MLS on Wednesday as Inter Miami “can’t miss more points” in a battle to reach the play-offs.