He Inter Miami A historic day is already beating. With Lionel Messi As the main protagonist, Javier Mascherano’s team held its open practice at the Nu Stadium, the new stadium that will mark a new era for the franchise of the MLS.
The presence of the Argentine star ignited the enthusiasm of thousands of fans, who were able to see the team captain up close in the run-up to the long-awaited opening match against Austin FC, scheduled for this Saturday. The debut at the Nu Stadium not only represents a change of venue, but also a giant step in the consolidation of the club’s sporting and commercial project. The new venue will have a capacity of 26,700 spectators and will even have a stand named “Leo Messi Stand” in honor of the world champion.
Messi led Inter Miami’s open practice at Nu Stadium
The images of the open training session quickly went viral on social networks, where Messi was seen with the Inter Miami team coming out onto the Nu Stadium field to begin work in front of the fans.
The atmosphere was total party. The expectation surrounding the first official match at the club’s new home has been enormous, and the presence of David Beckham, one of the team’s owners, also reinforced the symbolic nature of the day. The event functioned as a kind of emotional preview of what will be the official inauguration of the stadium in the heart of Miami.
David Ruiz: “It’s a dream come true”
One of the most emotional testimonies in the preview was that of David Ruiz, Inter Miami midfielder and player who grew up a few kilometers from the new stadium.
Ruiz assured that playing this match at the Nu Stadium is “a dream come true,” highlighting how special it means for him to represent his city club on a stage of this magnitude. Its story connects fully with the local identity that Inter Miami seeks to strengthen with this definitive move to its new home.
“I grew up literally three miles from here… having a new stadium is a dream come true for everyone,” said the footballer in advance of the premiere.
Inter Miami vs Austin FC: the preview of the debut at the Nu Stadium
The match between Inter Miami and Austin FC will be much more than a regular season match in MLS 2026. It will be the official debut of the club in its brand new stadium and an event with enormous media impact.
Messi’s team arrives with momentum after adding 10 points in its first five away games, while Austin faces the challenge with doubts, especially due to its performance away from home. According to previous data, the Florida team appears as the clear favorite to win this inauguration. FotMob/Opta places Inter Miami with a 71.1% chance of winning, ahead of a draw (16.5%) and a visiting victory (12.4%).
Inter Miami vs Austin FC Match Odds
Inter Miami wins: 71.1%
Tie: 16.5%
Austin FC wins: 12.4%
Will Messi play the first game at the Nu Stadium?
The big question that fans are asking is whether Lionel Messi will be one hundred percent ready to play in the official debut in the new stadium. Although the Argentine participated in the open training session, in the last few hours reports emerged about discomfort in his right ankle, which generated some concern before the match.
For now, there is no confirmation that it is a serious injury, but his evolution will be closely monitored ahead of the clash against Austin. If he finally plays, the morbidity will be even greater: Messi will seek to score in Inter Miami’s first official match at the Nu Stadium, something he did not achieve in his previous home debuts with Barcelona, PSG or at Chase Stadium, according to the previous statistics released by FotMob.
The Nu Stadium, symbol of the new era of Inter Miami
The inauguration of the Nu Stadium represents one of the most important moments in the club’s history. Since arriving in MLS in 2020, Inter Miami has played at home at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, while the development of its new permanent headquarters progressed.
Now, with a modern venue, greater capacity and a location much more connected to the city’s identity, the franchise seeks to establish itself as one of the most powerful sports brands in the United States and the continent. The premiere of the stadium also comes in an ideal context: with Messi as a central figure, a competitive sports structure and unprecedented global visibility.
Messi, Beckham and a night that could be historic
Everything is ready for Inter Miami’s debut at Nu Stadium to become an unforgettable night. The club bet heavily on this project, and now has the opportunity to inaugurate its new home with a triumph, with Lionel Messi as the main attraction and with thousands of fans ready to experience a historic chapter.
If the Argentine manages to score and lead the victory against Austin FC, the inauguration of the stadium could become one of the most emblematic nights since his arrival in the MLS.
