Miami don finally get new home for football as Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas cut ribbon for Nu Stadium top steps today. Him do am with brother Jose Mas and football legend Sir David Beckham as fans dey watch. “This na our gift to you, Miami,” Jorge Mas yarn to fans before the big match against Austin FC wey go hold Saturday, April 4.
All eyes dey on Lionel Messi wey dem expect go play to officially open the new Major League Soccer venue. After Friday practice, Messi talk say, “Honestly, e dey spectacular to see the new home. The new stadium turn out incredible, and e dey really special to experience am. We don dey eager to play there, to make our debut, to finally compete there officially, and now the moment don arrive.”
Messi add say, “E go definitely be very special day for the club because of wetin e mean to get new stadium. The stadium wey dem build dey truly impressive. And after such short time, to get our own stadium na unbelievable. So, e na day to enjoy for everybody for club, the fans, and for us wey go be the first to play for this new stadium.” The Argentine star conclude, “E go be beautiful day.”
This match go be first contest for Inter Miami new stadium, wey Mas promise go ready to host 26,700 fans full capacity. But coach Javier Mascherano warn say club must focus on opponent instead of the occasion. “We dey obviously go into match where our primary objective na to maintain the momentum we don build… while we dey keep for mind say the best way to celebrate na after match and with victory,” Mascherano talk.
“We must try no to get too catch up for all the festivities and hype wey dey surround pre-match celebration. Instead, wetin we need do na to harness all that positive energy wey go dey for air, channel am onto pitch and strive to secure the win,” the coach add.
The match go begin by 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. Argentina time) and go dey available to stream on Apple TV. Messi expected to play, but him status go confirm when Inter Miami announce starting lineup one hour before match.
Austin FC face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday for MLS match for opening of Miami Nu Stadium. Both clubs no play for two weeks because of international break. Austin FC (1-2-2, 5 points) go have winger Jayden Nelson available but still go dey without central midfielders Owen Wolff and Dani Pereira. Miami (3-1-1, 10 points) dey currently third for Eastern Conference.
For second straight game, Austin FC coach Nico Estevez go with two forwards: Myrto Uzuni and Christian Ramirez. Him midfield go feature Facundo Torres, Joseph Rosales, Nico Dubersarsky, and Ilie Sanchez. Defense line na Guilherme Biro, Oleksandr Svatok, Brendan Hines-Ike, and Jon Gallagher with Brad Stuver as goalie.
Inter Miami face Austin FC on Matchday 6 of 2026 Major League Soccer season. The matchup carry added significance as e mark official inauguration of Nu Stadium, new home of the Herons, making am landmark occasion for Florida side. From competitive standpoint, Inter Miami dey need victory to close gap for top of Eastern Conference standings, currently led by Nashville SC.
To achieve that, role of Lionel Messi go be crucial. After featuring with Argentina during March FIFA international break, him set to once again lead him side. Austin FC, meanwhile, face challenge of improving on their recent performances wey don fall short of expectations. In fact, dem open 2026 MLS season with just one win for five matches. This Saturday also present opportunity to make history for American soccer if dem fit secure victory for inaugural match at Nu Stadium.
Javier Mascherano go dey without two key players for Inter Miami CF. One na Facundo Mura wey dey deal with ankle issue, while the other na Sergio Reguilon wey don dey sidelined for weeks with muscle injury. Starting XI wey Javier Mascherano select for Inter Miami against Austin FC na: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo de Paul, David Ayala, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Mateo Silvetti, Tadeo Allende.
Head coach Nico Estevez don name following XI for Austin FC to face Inter Miami CF: Brad Stuver; Guilherme Biro, Brendan Hines-Ike, Oleksandr Svatok, Jon Gallagher; Joseph Rosales, Ilie Sanchez, Nicolas Dubersarsky, Facundo Torres; Myrto Uzuni, Christian Ramirez.
Lionel Messi dey included for Lionel Scaloni squad during March FIFA international break. For that period, Argentina national team play two friendlies for Buenos Aires as part of their final preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi play 45 minutes last Friday against Mauritania national team, and then start and complete full 90 minutes on Tuesday against Zambia national team, scoring one goal.
Saturday matchup go go down for Major League Soccer history as first ever played at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami don spend three years and approximately one billion dollars on construction of their new home. The stadium itself estimated to cost around $350 million, while full Miami Freedom Park complex valued at roughly $1 billion. Nu Stadium get seating capacity of 25,000 spectators.
Inter Miami and Austin FC go kick off at 7:30 PM ET. You fit watch MLS match live on Apple TV. Inter Miami ready to write new chapter for their history. This weekend, the Herons go debut for impressive Nu Stadium, match wey go far beyond three points. This no be just another MLS game… e na defining moment of identity, ambition and expectations.
After dem leave behind Chase Stadium, where dem lift their first-ever MLS trophy, team wey Lionel Messi dey lead aim to turn this new venue into fortress. According to reports, club structure their entire start to season around this moment, playing their first five matches away from home.
For paper, Inter Miami arrive for solid form: three wins, one draw and one loss, placing them third for Eastern Conference. But deeper analysis tell more complex story. Team look more balanced than for previous seasons, yet defensive issues persist. Eight goals concede for five matches dey far from ideal for contender. Still, their attacking power deliver, highlighted by comeback win against New York City FC, where Messi once again make difference with stunning free-kick.
For other side stand Austin FC, flying under radar but hungry to make noise. Their start don be inconsistent: one win, two draws and two losses, leaving them for lower half of Western Conference. However, warning sign dey for Miami. Austin become first team to shut out LAFC this season, proving dem fit defend under pressure.
History also lean for their favor. Austin never lose to Inter Miami: dominant 5-1 win for 2022 and 1-1 draw for 2023. While past results no guarantee anything, dem add pressure to hosts. With busy April schedule ahead, Nico Estévez side know say to get result for Miami fit change their momentum completely.
All eyes dey, inevitably, on Lionel Messi. Him recent absence from training raise concerns, but according to reports, e na planned decision to manage him workload after international break. Still, not everything dey perfect for Miami. Facundo Mura remain doubt, while Austin arrive with multiple absences: Dani Pereira, Robert Taylor, Brandon Vázquez and Owen Wolff dey ruled out, and Jayden Nelson dey questionable.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
