MLS Sunday Night Soccer Show could falls by Messi's performance
MLS’s Sunday Night Soccer initiative, designed to spotlight Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, has struggled to meet expectations. Messi's participation has been limited, and his availability for upcoming matches remains uncertain.
The highly anticipated Sunday Night Soccer series by MLS, aimed at highlighting Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, has yet to live up to expectations. While Messi was present for one match against Atlanta United, his absence has been felt in subsequent games.
As the league heads into Matchday 7, with Inter Miami set to face Toronto FC, questions loom over Messi's availability. With several key players uncertain, the team’s priorities and upcoming commitments could influence whether Messi plays in this crucial match.
Will Messi play against Toronto?
Inter Miami's current focus is on the CONCACAF Champions Cup. After falling behind LAFC, the team needs to make a comeback to reach the semifinals — a stage they missed last year and one that is a major goal for Messi and his teammates.
Head coach Javier Mascherano has suggested he may rotate the squad for Sunday’s match, further raising questions about Messi's participation.
“We’ll talk to him, just like we always do with most players,” said Mascherano on Saturday. “I have an idea, but it’s open for discussion. Although Wednesday’s match is crucial, we can’t ignore that Sunday’s performance will affect that game. It hasn’t been 48 hours since our last match, so it depends on how things develop in the next hours, and we’ll make a decision on Sunday.”
If Messi is sidelined again, it will be another setback for MLS’s plan to center Sunday Night Soccer around its star player, leaving another weekend without Messi in the spotlight.
However, there’s hope for next weekend, when Inter Miami faces Chicago Fire on Sunday, April 13 — potentially offering another opportunity for Messi to take center stage in a prime-time match.
Fans will then have to wait until Sunday, May 18, for Miami's next Sunday Night Soccer appearance, a much-anticipated clash with Florida rivals Orlando City in the ‘Clásico del Sol’.