Missing their best player and the best in the world, Messi, Inter Miami struggled to create many chances against Monterrey. No one could break the deadlock until De Paul unleashed a rocket of a shot from outside the box, finding the bottom-right corner of the net to open the scoring in the Herons’ second game of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

As soon as the ball went in, De Paul removed his shirt. However, instead of showing off his tattoo-filled physique, the Argentine was wearing Messi‘s jersey underneath. De Paul turned his back to the stands and pointed to the number and name on his undershirt, sending a clear message of support to his best friend, who lost his father on Saturday.

On a day when Inter Miami mourned Jorge Messi’s passing, De Paul delivered a tribute that appeared to be taken straight out of a movie script.

De Paul was booked

Although he was wearing another jersey underneath, De Paul still removed one of his shirts after scoring against Monterrey. As a result, he was shown a yellow card by the referee.

Even though it was still early in the game and getting booked with most of the match left to play carried a risk, De Paul clearly couldn’t care less about the card and was going to honor Messi and his family regardless. Had De Paul scored later while already on a yellow card, he most likely would’ve removed his jersey anyway.

Some things are bigger than soccer, and De Paul made that clear with one of the most emotional moments of the season.

Meant to be

The fact that De Paul was wearing Messi’s jersey underneath his own shows just how confident he was that he would score and get a chance to honor his friend’s family.

De Paul doesn’t score often, which makes it all the more magical. That he scored tonight, of all games, and in the fashion he did made the moment even more special.

In more ways than one, it was reminiscent of one of Messi’s most iconic celebrations, when he wore Diego Armando Maradona’s jersey underneath his own Barcelona shirt days after the Argentine icon passed away in 2020.

A victory would put Inter Miami in an excellent position to reach the quarterfinals, while Monterrey cannot afford another setback if they want to remain alive in the tournament. Rayados enter the game with virtually no margin for error after losing their opening match.

The match will also be played without Lionel Messi, who will not be available following the death of his father. That leaves Inter Miami’s star-studded roster with the responsibility of maintaining the team’s level in his absence and taking another major step toward the knockout stages.

What happens if Inter Miami beat Monterrey?

If Inter Miami defeat Monterrey, the Herons would move to six points and put themselves in a very strong position to advance to the quarterfinals. The result would give Miami significant control over their own path to the knockout stage heading into the final match of the group phase.

For Monterrey, another defeat would leave Rayados in a very difficult position. After already losing to Orlando City, they would remain without points and would need a major turnaround in their final match to have any realistic chance of advancing.

What happens if Inter Miami and Monterrey tie?

A draw would not immediately give either team three points. If the match is tied after regulation, the teams will go directly to a penalty shootout, with two points awarded to the winner and one point going to the team that loses the shootout.

For Inter Miami, a draw guarantees at least moving to four points and potentially five with a shootout victory. Monterrey, meanwhile, would earn their first point of the competition and another point would be at stake on penalties, keeping Rayados alive heading into the final match.

What happens if Inter Miami lose to Monterrey?

If Inter Miami lose against Monterrey, the Herons would remain on three points, making the race for one of the four MLS spots in the quarterfinals considerably more complicated.

Inter Miami would not be eliminated, but the pressure would increase significantly. A victory against Leon in the final match would become especially important if they want to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.

For Monterrey, a victory would completely change the picture. Rayados would move to three points and put themselves much closer to the top four among Liga MX clubs. However, they would still need a strong result against Nashville SC in their final match to stay in contention.

Of course the main question right now is if Lionel Messi will play today for Inter Miami vs Monterrey. It’s been confirmed that Messi won’t play as he is traveling back to Argentina. Hence, Inter Miami, a team that won its first Leagues Cup match, will have to vary a bit.

As for Monterrey, they lost their first Leagues Cup game against Orlando City so the ‘Rayados‘ are in big need of bouncing back. Historically, Mexican teams haven’t done great in the Leagues Cup, and another defeat here could mean that pattern might be repeating.

Inter Miami’s predicted lineup vs Monterrey

Guillermo Hoyos is not going to have Messi at his disposal today. Luis Suarez is still suspended and German Berterame is in concussion protocol. Hence, this is the Heron’s confirmed lineup:

The 4-3-3 is the go-to formation: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Facundo Mura, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo de Paul; Lovens Delinois, Daniel Pinter, Telasco Segovia.

Monterrey’s predicted lineup vs Inter Miami

Matias Almeyda is an aggresive manager and will likely put a solid, offensive-minded lineup to face off against Inter Miami. Knowing that a win is imperative, this is the starting XI:

Almeyda is confirmed to use a 3-4-2-1 formation: Luis Cardenas; Victor Guzman, Carlos Salcedo, Daniel Aceves; Luca Orellano, Orbelin Pineda, Oliver Torres, Jesus Corona; Lucas Ocampos, Diego Rossi, Hugo Cuypers.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Monterrey in the USA

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey will stream live on Apple TV in the United States. Apple TV is the global home of the 2026 Leagues Cup, with every match in the competition available through the platform.

Can I watch Inter Miami vs Monterrey for free?

Eligible new Apple TV subscribers can watch Inter Miami vs. Monterrey through the platform’s 7-day free trial. MLS confirms that Apple TV costs $12.99 per month after the free seven-day trial.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Inter Miami enters Saturday’s matchup with three points after opening the 2026 Leagues Cup with a 4-2 win over Atletico de San Luis, while Monterrey is still searching for its first points after a 2-1 loss to Orlando City.

Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist in Miami’s opener, while Telasco Segovia and Micael also scored to give the Herons a winning start. That puts Monterrey under immediate pressure at 0-1-0, while Inter Miami can take a major step toward the knockout stage with another victory.

The 2026 Leagues Cup Phase One consists of three matches for each club, so Saturday’s result could significantly shape the standings before both teams play their final first-round games. MLS currently lists Miami on three points and Monterrey on zero.

For Inter Miami, there is also an opportunity to build on its status as one of the competition’s most successful clubs. The Herons won the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023 and reached the final in 2025, and Messi’s two-goal performance against Atlético de San Luis made him the all-time leading scorer in Leagues Cup history.

Another win against Argentine manager Matias Almeyda‘s team would put Miami in a strong position to advance. Monterrey, meanwhile, needs a response after falling to Orlando City in its opener. A second consecutive defeat would make their path to the knockout rounds considerably more difficult.

Inter Miami vs Monterrey: Predicted Lineups

Inter Miami (4-4-2): Rocco Rios Novo; Noah Allen, Micael, Fricio Caicedo, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul; Daniel Pinter, Lovens Delinois.

Monterrey (4-2-3-1): Luis Cardenas; Gerardo Arteaga, Jorge Rodriguez, Stefan Medina, Ricardo Chavez; Fidel Ambriz, Roberto de la Rosa; Luis Reyes, Iker Fimbres, Luca Orellano; Uros Durdevic.

What time is the Inter Miami vs Monterrey match?

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey kicks off on Saturday, August 8, at 8:00 PM ET. The match will be played at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, and is part of Phase One of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

Michelle Kaufman, who covers Inter Miami for the Miami Herald, reported on X that Messi will travel to Rosario in the coming hours to reunite with his family. There, he will say a final goodbye to his father.

The Herons’ debut in the competition was highly promising, as they secured an important 4-2 victory at home against Atletico San Luis. Now, with the club mourning the loss suffered by Messi’s family, Inter Miami aim to get a victory for their captain.

Without Messi, Inter Miami’s predicted lineup against Monterrey today could look like this: Rocco Rios Novo; Ian Fray, Fricio Caicedo, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Rodrigo de Paul; Lovens Delinois, Daniel Pinter, Telasco Segovia.

Apart from Messi, the team will miss another key player in Luis Suarez, who is unable to play at the 2026 Leagues Cup due to the six-game suspension he received after a controversial ending to the 2025 final against Seattle Sounders.

German Berterame’s status for Inter Miami vs Monterrey

Argentine-born, naturalized Mexican forward German Berterame entered the concussion protocol during his MLS match against CF Montreal. Although he has shown significant physical improvement, Hoyos was unable to confirm whether Berterame will be available for Matchday 2 of the Leagues Cup against his former team.

“I would be lying if I said yes,” the manager said to the press. “Berterame is recovering and doing very well. Doing excellent. It gives us great joy to have him in the squad. He’s a great player who can give us important things. He took a very hard hit and all of us who were there were very scared that it was worse. So, we are just thankful to have him around.”

The record against Mexican teams

Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami have built a dominant record against Mexican opposition in the Leagues Cup, winning 8 of their 9 matches against Liga MX clubs alongside just a single defeat.

Driven by Messi‘s playmaking and clinical finishing, the Herons have consistently outperformed top Mexican sides in the tournament, establishing the fixture as one of their most reliable venues for success.

• vs Cruz Azul 2-1, 2023
• vs Puebla 2-0, 2024
• vs Tigres UANL 1-2, 2024
• vs Pumas UNAM 5-3, 2024
• vs Atlas 2-1, 2025
• vs Necaxa 2-2 (5-4), 2025
• vs Pumas UNAM 3-1, 2025
• vs Tigres UANL 2-1, 2025
• vs Atletico San Luis 4-2, 2026

When and where does Inter Miami vs. Monterrey take place?

Inter Miami take on Monterrey on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in the Leagues Cup group stage. The match takes place at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (ET).

How to watch Monterrey vs Orlando City in the USA

Fans in the United States can watch Monterrey vs Orlando City live with Apple TV, which carries every Leagues Cup match without local blackouts.

The service is available through the Apple TV app on smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices and web browsers.

Can I watch Monterrey vs Orlando City for free?

Unfortunately, there is no free streaming option available for Monterrey vs Orlando City in the United States. However, Apple TV offers a free trial before the paid subscription becomes active.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Monterrey and Orlando City open their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign knowing that every result is crucial in the tournament’s new Phase One format.

Unlike previous editions with traditional group play, clubs now face three scheduled opponents, earning points that determine whether they advance to the knockout rounds. A winning start can provide a major advantage in the race for qualification.

For Orlando City, playing at Inter&Co Stadium offers an excellent opportunity to begin the competition with home support against one of Liga MX‘s strongest clubs. Before the game, Bolavip asked Robin Jansson about Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando.

The Lions have developed into one of MLS‘ most consistent teams and will be eager to make a statement against a continental heavyweight before facing Leon and Atletico de San Luis later in the competition.

Monterrey, meanwhile, enter the tournament with high expectations after assembling another talented squad capable of competing for international silverware.

Rayados know that taking points on the road would strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage before upcoming meetings with Inter Miami and Nashville SC, making this one of the standout fixtures of the opening matchday.

Monterrey vs Orlando City: Predicted Lineups

Monterrey (3-5-2): Luis Cardenas; Gerardo Arteaga Salcedo, Victor Guzman, Johan Rojas Acevedo; Lucas Ocampos, Jordi Cortizo Rodriguez, Sergio Canales Corona, Oliver Torres, Luca Orellano; Tolu Arokodare Cuypers, Diego Rossi.

Orlando City (4-4-2): Maxime Crepeau; Adria Marin, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel Brekalo, G. Dorsey; Tiago Andrade, Martin Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Ivan Angulo; Ramiro Enrique Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

What time is the Monterrey vs Orlando City match?

The Monterrey vs Orlando City Leagues Cup match kicks off on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:30 PM ET. For fans across the United States, here are the local kickoff times:

Eastern Time (ET): 7:30 PM
Central Time (CT): 6:30 PM
Mountain Time (MT): 5:30 PM
Pacific Time (PT): 4:30 PM

[Watch Cruz Azul vs Monterrey live in the USA on Fubo]

Cruz Azul carry a slim advantage into the decisive second leg of their Round of 16 series after edging Monterrey 3–2 in a thrilling opening matchup, a result that gave Los Cementeros a valuable road win and the early edge in the tie.

Monterrey, however, remain firmly in contention and will arrive determined to erase the one-goal deficit in what promises to be another intense battle, making this a must-watch clash fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Cruz Azul vs Monterrey match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 between Cruz Azul and Monterrey will be played this Tuesday, March 17 at 11:00 PM (ET).

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey: Time by State in the USA

ET: 11:00 PM
CT: 10:00 PM
MT: 9:00 PM
PT: 8:00 PM

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Monterrey in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Cruz Azul and Monterrey will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1, TUDN and ViX.

In that opening game, Nicolas Larcamon‘s men rallied late to take control of the series. Goals from Erik Lira and Gonzalo Piovi helped keep them within reach before Nicolas Ibañez scored a stunning 90th-minute winner.

Now the return match will determine which Liga MX powerhouse moves on to the quarterfinals. With just one goal separating the sides on aggregate, every possible result in the second leg could reshape the outcome of the tie.

What happens if Cruz Azul beat Monterrey today?

If Cruz Azul defeat Monterrey in the second leg, they will advance to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup and face the winner of the Los Angeles FC vs LD Alajuelense series.

Cruz Azul already hold a 3–2 aggregate lead after winning the first leg in Monterrey, so another victory would extend their advantage and comfortably send them through to the next round.

Advancing would keep alive their title defense in the regional competition after winning the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, where they defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final.

What happens if Cruz Azul and Monterrey tie?

If Cruz Azul and Monterrey draw in the second leg, the Maquina would still advance to the quarterfinals. Because the Mexican side enters the match with a one-goal aggregate advantage, any draw would keep them ahead.

Unlike some past editions of the tournament, the tie is decided simply by the aggregate score across the two legs. That means Monterrey must win the second leg to overturn the deficit. If Cruz Azul manage a draw, their advantage from the first game would be enough to move on.

What happens if Cruz Azul lose to Monterrey today?

If Cruz Azul lose the second leg, the outcome of the series would depend on the margin of defeat. Since the away goals rule exists in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a one-goal loss would still see Cruz Azul advance as long as Monterrey score less than three goals (e.g: Cruz Azul 0-1 Monterrey, Cruz Azul 1-2 Monterrey).

If Cruz Azul lose 2-3 to Monterrey, the game will go to extra time, and if the draw persists, penalties will decide the winner.

A defeat by two or more goals would eliminate Cruz Azul and allow Monterrey to advance. Nicolas Sanchez’s team remains a dangerous opponent in continental competitions, as it has a strong history in the region.

[Watch Monterrey vs Cruz Azul live in the USA on Fubo]

One of the most compelling matchups in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup features two seasoned Mexican rivals as Monterrey and Cruz Azul square off in a clash loaded with domestic and international pedigree.

Monterrey have long been a consistent force in continental play and will aim to continue that tradition in the 2026 tournament, while Cruz Azul arrive in top form after surging to first place in Liga MX, hoping their strong league start carries over to the international stage in what promises to be a must-watch showdown.

When will the Monterrey vs Cruz Azul match be played?

This first leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 between Monterrey and Cruz Azul willbe played this Tuesday, March 10 at 9:00 PM (ET).

Monterrey vs Cruz Azul: Time by State in the USA

ET: 9:00 PM
CT: 8:00 PM
MT: 7:00 PM
PT: 6:00 PM

How to watch Monterrey vs Cruz Azul in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Monterrey and Cruz Azul will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FS2, TUDN and ViX.

[Watch Monterrey vs Xelaju live in the USA on Fubo]

The first leg of this series delivered a far tighter game than anticipated, as favorites Monterrey settled for a 1–1 draw. Monterrey now return home with the opportunity to clinch qualification, though the first match made it clear the challenge will be anything but straightforward.

Xelaju, aware that protecting home field was essential, did just enough to stay alive in the tie, and the Guatemalan side heads to Mexico believing an upset remains within reach after keeping the series level.

When will the Monterrey vs Xelaju match be played?

This second leg game in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round between Monterrey and Xelaju will be played this Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 PM (ET).

Monterrey vs Xelaju: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:00 PM
CT: 9:00 PM
MT: 8:00 PM
PT: 7:00 PM

How to watch Monterrey vs Xelaju in the USA

This 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup game between Monterrey and Xelaju will be broadcast in the United States on Fubo. Other options: DirecTV Stream, FS2 and TUDN.

[Watch Club America vs Monterrey in the US on DirecTV Stream]

A high-profile Liga MX matchup is on deck as two legitimate title contenders square off in a game loaded with playoff implications. Monterrey come in with seven points and remain among the postseason qualifiers, looking to rebound after a hard-earned 2–2 draw against Tijuana.

Across the field, Club America are riding momentum from its first win of the season—a 2–0 victory over Necaxa—and is eager to build on it. With pride and positioning at stake, this is one showdown fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Club America vs Monterrey match be played?

Club America play against Monterrey in the Matchday 5 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 this Saturday, February 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:10 PM (ET).

Club America vs Monterrey: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:10 PM
CT: 9:10 PM
MT: 8:10 PM
PT: 7:10 PM

How to watch Club America vs Monterrey in the USA

This Liga MX clash between Club America and Monterrey will be available for viewers in the USA on DirecTV Stream. Other options: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network, Univision, TUDN, Amazon Prime Video and ViX.