FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami could punch their ticket to the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs with a win or draw against D.C. United at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Messi is healthy and expected to play for short-handed Inter Miami, which will be again without Luis Suarez (serving the last match of a three-game MLS suspension), while several other key contributors are sidelined due to injury.
Still, the match against D.C. United – ranked 14th among 15 clubs in the East and already eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention is an important one for Inter Miami. Inter Miami needs a win or draw against D.C. United, and a loss by the New York Red Bulls at Montreal on Saturday night to clinch a playoff spot.
Messi’s side has seven matches to play until the end of the MLS season, and has a chance to still contend for their second straight MLS Supporters’ Shield title if they’re able to win out.
“We are entering the final stretch of the season, and every game counts,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said before Friday’s training. “I think it’s very important for us to try to get the three points in tomorrow’s game, which would almost mathematically guarantee our place in the playoffs.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s Inter Miami vs. D.C. United match:
Is Messi playing?
Messi is expected to play against D.C. United. He trained with his Inter Miami teammates on Friday. His status for the match will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before kickoff.
What time is Inter Miami vs. DC United match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
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How to watch Inter Miami vs. DC United match?
The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
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Inter Miami vs. DC United betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: -295
Draw: +425
D.C. United: +675
Over/under: 3.5 goals
What to know about Inter Miami and DC United
Inter Miami has played two matches in the last week, and will have seven more matches to play until the end of the 2025 regular season. Inter Miami is sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 49 points from 27 matches this season, but has three matches in hand to play after participating in the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup.
D.C. United is ranked 14th among 15 teams in the East with 25 points, and has already been eliminated from contention for the MLS Cup playoffs.
Here’s the latest on Messi
Messi scored a goal and had an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win against the Seattle Sounders on Sept. 16. It was a bounce-back performance from Messi, who failed to score in Inter Miami’s previous two losses — in the Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle on Aug. 31 and on the road against Charlotte on Sept. 13.
Messi is also nearing a contract extension with Inter Miami to keep him in MLS and the United States for at least two more seasons, USA TODAY Sports reported on Sept. 18.
Will Messi play in 2026 World Cup?
Messi has yet to declare whether he will play in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. But he did offer some insight after the Argentina match earlier this month.
“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said on Sept. 4.
“Like I always say, I go day by day, match by match. That’s it taking it day by day, going by how I feel. Day by day, trying to feel good and above all, being honest with myself,” Messi added.
“When I feel good, I enjoy it. But when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So, we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.”
Messi added: “Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami
Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET
Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m. ET