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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami could be looking to exact some revenge for their shocking 2024 MLS Cup Playoff exit on Sunday when they visit an Atlanta United side that has caused trouble throughout Messi’s Miami tenure.

Atlanta (1-1-1, 4 points) dumped Miami (2-1-0, 7 points) out of the 2024 postseason by winning a best-of-three, Round One series last fall under interim manager Rob Valentino. And this offseason, they spent a reported $32 million in combined transfer fees to sign striker Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough and bring Miguel Almiron back from Newcastle United.

Yet despite playing to a 4-1-1 record against Miami in all competitions since Messi joined the Herons in July of 2023, Atlanta still respects the challenge the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners present.

“It’s the quality of their guys that can unlock a game with one pass, one move, one play,” said Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. “You have to make sure that you’re aware of where guys are at all times.”

This will be Miami’s eighth game of 2025 after advancing to the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. In the round of 16 Thursday, Messi’s three-match absence due to muscle fatigue came to an end when he came off the bench at Cavalier FC of Jamaica and scored the last goal of a 2-0 victory that sealed a 4-0 aggregate win.

Luis Suarez converted a penalty before halftime, and with the outcome well in hand, manager Javier Mascherano was able to limit Suarez and fellow veteran Sergio Busquets to less than 60 minutes of action.

“I’m happy with the level that we showed today, I think we took a step forward,” Mascherano said. “We felt comfortable on the pitch…We were able to control their counterattack and that, for me, was the key to the match.”

All three of Messi’s 2025 goals have come in Concacaf competition. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looks likely to make his second MLS start in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Latte Lath has been cleared to play after spending the week in the league’s concussion protocol. He scored two goals in Atlanta’s 3-2 home win over Montreal on opening weekend, but his team hasn’t scored since.

–Field Level Media