Messi Returns From Spain Award as Inter Miami Faces Red Bulls

Lionel Messi was set to rejoin Inter Miami for Saturday's match against the New York Red Bulls after receiving the Princess of Asturias award for sport in Oviedo, Spain, on Oct. 23. Kickoff was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 24. Reports differ on his role: ESPN says coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez confirmed he will rejoin the team and Yahoo Sports says he is available, while World Soccer Talk reports he was kept out of the starting lineup. Inter Miami sits second in the MLS table with 15 wins, 10 draws and 5 losses in 30 matches, while the Red Bulls are ninth with 36 points. Yahoo Sports notes that Messi leads MLS with 25 goals and 15 assists. No final score was available at publication.

Will Messi play against the Red Bulls?

ESPN reported that Gonzalez confirmed Messi will rejoin Inter Miami for the Red Bulls match after the Princess of Asturias ceremony in Oviedo. Yahoo Sports adds that the coach indicated Messi is available for the Saturday clash despite travel fatigue.

World Soccer Talk tells a different story. It reports the coach prioritized rest after a hasty return from Spain, and that Messi was unavailable to start. Those two accounts can both hold: availability for a match is not the same as a starting place.

Who starts for Inter Miami without Messi?

According to World Soccer Talk, Fillipi Riquelme starts in Messi's absence, with Berterame and Suarez completing the attack. The outlet also says Luis Suarez assumes the captaincy while Messi is unavailable.

World Soccer Talk adds that Inter Miami clinched a playoff berth, which reduces the pressure on regular season matches. The same outlet says Nashville SC captured the Supporters' Shield, ending Miami's title aspirations in that race. That context helps explain a cautious approach to a player returning from international travel.

Where do Inter Miami and the Red Bulls stand in MLS?

The MLS table has Inter Miami CF second after 30 games played, with 15 wins, 10 draws and 5 losses. Inter Miami CF holds a goal difference of +22 and 55 points. New England Revolution sits third with 52 points.

Red Bull New York is ninth, with 10 wins, 6 draws and 14 losses from 30 games played. Red Bull New York has a goal difference of -17 and 36 points. Yahoo Sports also lists New York ninth in the Eastern Conference, tied with Toronto.

How have Messi and the two teams performed recently?

Yahoo Sports reports Messi leads MLS with 25 goals and 15 assists. Yahoo Sports also reports that Inter Miami defeated Atlanta 3-1, with Messi scoring twice and adding one assist. Those figures place Messi at the center of Inter Miami's attack.

For the Red Bulls, Yahoo Sports says New York fell 2-0 to Toronto FC in a recent home match. The same outlet notes the teams drew 2-2 in their season opener. Yahoo Sports adds that Messi is pursuing a third consecutive MLS MVP award.