Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Inaugurate New Stadium Against Austin FC

Inter Miami is set to host Austin FC on Saturday night at the new stadium built with Lionel Messi’s involvement.

This match marks the first event at the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium, located slightly northwest of downtown Miami.

While the construction was approved before Messi joined the team in the summer of 2023, the project aimed to attract top soccer talent. Now, Messi, regarded as one of the greatest players ever, will lead his team onto the field.

“It’s amazing to see the new home,” Messi said in Spanish this week. “The stadium is incredible, and it’s special to be here. We were excited to make our debut and now that moment has come.”

Miami played its first five matches away to secure a full home schedule at its new venue, despite having a temporary setup in nearby Fort Lauderdale.

Currently, the Herons are third in the Eastern Conference and ninth in the Supporters Shield standings. Messi leads the team with four goals, while Telasco Segovia has three assists.

However, Miami has conceded eight goals, the most of any team in the top 10 Supporters Shield standings.

Austin manager Nico Estevez acknowledges this when preparing his team (1-2-2, 5 points) for the match. “We know playing against the current MLS champions will be tough,” Estevez said. “They can score but also let in goals. We need to attack; just defending won’t be enough.”

Austin is looking for its first player with multiple goals this season. Owen Wolff, last year’s top scorer, is back in training after surgery but is unlikely to play this week. Striker Brandon Vazquez is still recovering from a torn ACL incurred last summer.