Inter Miami face Atlanta United in a crucial Leagues Cup clash on July 25 with Lionel Messi on course to make his first start for his new team.
Messi enjoying a perfect debut in Florida, as the Argentinian superstar came off the bench to fire home a superb free kick in added time, sealing a 2-1 win over Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
As Inter Miami now gear up for their second group stage match, the focus is back on Messi, and how Tata Martino's tactical plan for his former Barcelona talisman will shape up.
The cameo role against Cruz Azul will have increased Messi's match sharpness and it looks likely he could be handed a starting role against Atlanta.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along live as Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
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Is Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami vs Atlanta United?
Inter Miami fans were forced to be patient over Messi's arrival at the club with his arrival announced on July 15 followed by a formal presentation two days later.
Club owner Jorge Mas previously stated Messi would be ready to make his debut against Cruz Azul on July 21 and all sides kept to the schedule for Messi's big night in Florida.
Despite not starting a game since PSG's final match of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, on June 3, Inter Miami are looking to get Messi sharp again and get him back into top shape.
Messi's extended summer break was only increased by final contract negotiations, and he would be in preseason now, if he remained in Paris.
With the club announcing hours before the game that Messi and Sergio Busquets would start, that was confirmed with the Inter Miami lineup, which does indeed include both individuals.
Tonight’s Starting XI vs Atlanta United#MIAvATL | 7:30PM ET | 📺 Live with #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/JZtEpe9Hfa pic.twitter.com/fPoai1oJ3d
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 25, 2023
What time does Inter Miami vs Atlanta United kick off?
This Leagues Cup group stage fixture at DRV PNK Stadium kicks off on Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Tue, July 25 | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Tue, July 25 | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| UK | Wed, July 26 | 12:30 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Wed, July 26 | 9:30 a.m. AEST |
| India | Wed, July 26 | 5:00 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Wed, July 26 | 7:30 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Wed, July 26 | 7:30 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Wed, July 26 | 7:30 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Wed, July 26 | 11:30 a.m. NZST |
