Lionel Messi is set to start as Inter Miami host Atlanta United, with interim coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge while Kily Gonzalez awaits his work permit. Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup as Inter Miami host Atlanta United on Saturday at Nu Stadium, with interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos still in charge of the side while incoming coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez awaits the work permit needed to officially take the reins. The Argentine captain comes into the match in red-hot form, having scored four goals in Miami’s 7-1 rout of Montreal last time out, and there is no indication he will be eased out of the XI despite the ongoing coaching transition. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with Miami looking to build on its emphatic result over Montreal and Hoyos aiming to hand off a side in good form once Gonzalez is finally cleared to take over. Meanwhile, Atlanta will try to use Gerardo Martino’s insider knowledge of the Miami roster to slow down a Messi-led attack that has been in devastating form of late. Ready for another one at home. 🏠⚽️ #MIAvATL | @MarriottBonvoy pic.twitter.com/cEcYMQYanp— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 5, 2026 Inter Miami confirmed lineup Miami will line up in a 4-3-3. Hoyos will have to make do without Sergio Reguilon, Gonzalo Lujan, Micael, Mateo Silvetti, Santiago Morales and Tadeo Allende, all ruled out through injury, leaving the club with six absences to account for heading into kickoff. Inter Miami confirmed starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Fricio Caicedo; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Luis Suarez. Atlanta United confirmed lineup Atlanta United will set up in a 4-2-3-1 for what marks the official MLS debut of Breel Embolo, who joins the starting lineup for the first time since completing his $18 million move from Stade Rennais, one of the biggest transfers in league history. Atlanta United confirmed starting XI: Lucas Hoyos; Tomas Jacob, Paulo Diaz, Junior Alonso, Elias Baez; Cooper Sanchez, Will Reilly; Aleksei Miranchuk, Tristan Muyumba, Miguel Almiron; Breel Embolo.
Joao Felix refused to speak with reporters after Al Nassr's first loss of the season, cryptically warning he would "expose this league" if he did. Joao Felix left reporters stunned in the mixed zone following Al Nassr’s 2-1 defeat to Al Ittihad on Friday, a result that cost Ange Postecoglou’s side their unbeaten start to the season and handed sole possession of first place to Al Hilal. The Portuguese forward, who played the full match alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, appeared visibly frustrated for much of the second half, particularly after picking up a yellow card for a challenge on Al Ittihad midfielder Richard Rios that he clearly felt was harsh. That frustration spilled over once the final whistle blew. “I won’t speak to you, because if I do, I’ll expose this league,” Felix said while rushing past reporters without stopping for further comment. Whether Felix’s remarks were aimed specifically at the referee’s performance in Friday’s match or at broader officiating issues within the Saudi Pro League remains unclear, since he declined to explain himself any further before leaving the stadium. Joao Felix: “I won't speak to you, because if I do, I'll expose this league” pic.twitter.com/oMzsoQBvzO— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) September 5, 2026 Joao Felix set to miss Al Nassr’s next match Felix’s yellow card against Rios was his fourth of the season, which under Article 12 of the Saudi Pro League’s competition regulations, triggers an automatic one-match suspension for accumulating four bookings across different matches. That means the Portuguese forward will be unavailable for Al Nassr‘s next league fixture against Abha on September 9, leaving Postecoglou to reshuffle his attacking options as the club looks to respond to its first loss of the campaign. Felix leaves the pitch frustrated with the officiating Video circulating after the match, shared by Al Nassr Tribune, showed Felix and Samu Costa clearly unhappy with referee Khaled Al-Turais’ performance as they made their way off the pitch, still airing their frustrations well after the final whistle had blown. João Félix and Samú Costa were clearly unhappy with Referee Khaled Al-Turais' performance tonight.😖 pic.twitter.com/EPxrhMN6gq— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) September 5, 2026 The footage adds further context to Felix’s cryptic comments in the mixed zone, suggesting his complaint extended beyond his own yellow card to the officiating as a whole throughout the match.
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