Lionel Messi Starts for Inter Miami in Clash vs Orlando City, Jordi Alba to Make Debut off the Bench

• Inter Miami announced their starting lineup for the match against Orlando City SC
• Argentine star Lionel Messi will start for the second straight time for Inter Miami
• Jordi Alba will be coming off the bench in his debut for Inter Miami

The old gang is back.

For the first time in two years, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba will be playing for the same team together in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Orlando City SC.

Messi and Busquets will start for the Herons in the round of 32 clash, while Alba will be coming off the bench for his debut.

This will be Messi's second straight start for Inter Miami.

He made his first start for the club in their match against Atlanta United and he delivered a masterpiece. He recorded two goals and one assist in that contest, leading Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory.

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Inter Miami weather delay

The match between Inter Miami and Orlando City have officially entered a weather delay, however, as there is lightning in the area near DRV PNK Stadium.

The contest was set to start at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Messi reunites with old teammates

Messi, Busquets, and Alba played together for several years at Barcelona.

They enjoyed plenty of success with the Catalan giants, even winning the continental treble in 2015.

Their run together ended in 2021 when Messi shockingly left Barcelona because of the club’s financial difficulties. He later joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal.

Messi moved to the United States to join Inter Miami last month, and his former Barca teammates have followed him there.

Busquets and Alba also signed deals to play for David Beckham’s MLS team, reuniting them with Messi, per the BBC.

Why Alba chose Inter Miami

Sports Brief recently reported on Jordi Alba taking less money to reunite with his friends at Inter Miami.

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The Spanish star revealed in Tuesday’s press conference that he chose to play for the MLS side despite getting more lucrative offers from other football clubs.

Alba left Barcelona this year after spending 11 seasons with the Spanish giants.