FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami host Toronto FC on “Sunday Night Soccer,” but how much will Messi play tonight? 

Messi was named a starter for Inter Miami about an hour before kickoff as Inter Miami will end MLS Matchday 7 this weekend in the MLS and Apple TV’s Sunday showcase. As one of the best teams in the league, they’re going to face a team near the bottom of the standings. And it’s imperative they play efficiently without injury with heir eyes set on a big match Wednesday.

After Inter Miami plays Toronto, they’ll host LAFC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup. LAFC leads 1-0 on aggregate score after the first leg last Wednesday. The tournament is one of five trophies Inter Miami will compete for this year. 

Messi was unable to convert on three free kick opportunities during the first LAFC match, showing signs he may not be quite as sharp as he’s been in his legendary career, coming off a recent adductor strain in his left quad. 

Lionel Messi goal: Inter Miami 1, Toronto 1

Halftime deficit? More like tied game all over again thanks to Lionel Messi.

Messi squared up a swinging left boot in the 50th minute — two minutes after Toronto scored — to tie this match at 1 apiece just before halftime.

It’s Messi’s sixth goal this season for Inter Miami, and the 40th in his career with the MLS club.

Federico Bernardeschi goal: Toronto FC 1, Inter Miami 0

Just before halftime, Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi has found the back of the net after a crafty series of moves between three defenders and in front of Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender. The score comes during extra time in the first half (45’+2’), resulting in a halftime deficit for Messi and Inter Miami.

Messi’s goal taken off after his foul: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0

Lionel Messi squared up and fired a goal into the back of the net in the 37th minute, but VAR of the sequence showed Messi committing a foul by tripping a Toronto defender in the box before the score. So, we’re still tied here between Inter Miami and Toronto.

Inter Miami goal disallowed after offside: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0

Luis Suarez was called offsides after being over the line during a scoring opportunity for Inter Miami. Telasco Segovia found the back of the net after an assist from Suarez, but the goal won’t stand in the 29th minute.

Messi misses shot, Toronto hits post twice: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0

Lionel Messi missed his first shot of the night in the 20th minute, his left boot flying over the net. Inter Miami should consider itself lucky this is still a tied matchup: Toronto’s Theo Corbeanu hit the post in the 17th and 19th minutes.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Toronto live stream? 

The match is available on MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+.

Is Messi playing tonight? 

Messi was announced as a starter in Inter Miami’s lineup for the Toronto match.

What time does Inter Miami vs. Toronto match begin? 

The match starts at 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. in Argentina).

Messi shares MLS Season Pass free trial 

Before the Toronto match, Messi shared a one month free trial to MLS Season Pass via his Instagram account. Use Messi’s personal link to redeem the one-month offer: apple.co/MessiGift. 

Inter Miami vs. Toronto preview

Inter Miami enters the match after its first loss and its first 10 games of the year across all competitions, following the 1-0 defeat at LAFC last Wednesday. Inter Miami is unbeaten in MLS play and in second place (13 points) in the Eastern Conference after Columbus Crew (15 points) leapfrogged them in the standings following a 2-1 win against Montreal on Saturday. Toronto is 14th among 15 teams in the standings with just two points from two draws and four losses to start the season. 

How are Inter Miami, MLS teams doing in Champions Cup?

Major League Soccer has four teams remaining in the Champions Cup: Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, reigning MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps. 

The Galaxy will visit Tigres on Tuesday in Monterrey (9 p.m. ET on FS1), after a scoreless draw at home in the first leg. Vancouver will visit Pumas on Wednesday in Mexico City (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1), after a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week.

Liga MX’s Club America and Cruz Azul will settle their scoreless quarterfinal in Leg 2 on Tuesday (11:30 p.m. ET on FS1).

Inter Miami/LAFC would meet the Vancouver/Pumas winner in the semifinal, while Galaxy/Tigres will see America/Cruz Azul. 

Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule

• Wednesday: Inter Miami vs. LAFC, 8 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
• April 13: Chicago vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS)
• April 19: Columbus vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS)
• April 26: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m. ET