Messi leads Miami into pivotal Nashville showdown as Silvetti undergoes surgery

Lionel Messi enters Inter Miami's weekend showdown against Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC atop Major League Soccer with 31 goal contributions, while the club confirmed forward Mateo Silvetti will miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery. 12

Inter Miami announced that forward Mateo Silvetti successfully underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair a dislocation suffered during the Sept. 5 match against Atlanta United, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2026 campaign to focus on next season. 23 Silvetti had previously dislocated the shoulder during the Leagues Cup on Aug. 5 before aggravating the injury in a 10-minute substitute appearance against Atlanta, and he joins fellow forward Tadeo Allende on the club's long-term casualty list following Allende's knee procedure. 3

Miami received defensive reinforcements ahead of the weekend as Sergio Reguilón, Gonzalo Luján, Micael, and Santi Morales all returned to full squad training on Friday. 4 Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos remains in charge on the touchline because newly appointed manager Cristian "Kily" González and mid-season signings Matías Galarza and Riquelme Filippi continue to await their respective work visas. 4

Second-place Inter Miami (44 points) host conference leaders Nashville SC (53 points) at Nu Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 a.m. Asia/Shanghai (Saturday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET), with worldwide streaming on Apple TV. 15

Nashville hold a nine-point advantage over Miami in the Supporters' Shield standings and can clinch a berth in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs with a victory at Nu Stadium. 5 Miami seek to avenge an August 4-1 loss in Nashville and close the gap on the leaders, relying on Messi's league-leading form alongside Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who has scored in three consecutive matches. 15