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Lionel Messi’s status remains a concern for Inter Miami as the Herons prepare to face the Eastern Conference leaders, Philadelphia Union.

Messi started Inter Miami’s 2025 campaign in prime form. The 37-year-old bagged two goals and two assists in his first three matches across all competitions, becoming the fastest player in MLS history to record 40 goal contributions in the league. Then, he missed the Herons’ next three matches.

The club never confirmed Messi was nursing an injury, but his time on the sidelines became a distant memory when he returned just before the international break. Following a brief cameo against Cavalier, Messi played a full 90 minutes against Atlanta United and found the back of the net in Inter Miami’s 1–2 victory.

Days later, Messi pulled out of Argentina’s squad due to a minor muscle injury. While Argentina qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi remained in Miami, where he now finally returned to training.

With a huge clash coming up against Philadelphia Union, the question on everyone’s minds is: Will Lionel Messi play?

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It is still uncertain whether Messi will play against Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Mar. 29. Despite his return to training, Messi’s fitness is a huge worry for the Herons, especially with the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals swiftly approaching.

Even if Messi is given the green light to play on Saturday, he will likely only feature off the bench as Inter Miami continue to monitor his minutes. Throwing the 37-year-old into the starting lineup against Philadelphia when the Herons face LAFC just four days later is rather unlikely.

The conditions of the game will also play a role in whether the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner makes an appearance if he is deemed fit enough. Should Inter Miami go down to 10 men like they have three times in MLS this season, then expect Messi to stay on the bench.

As the match against Philadelphia draws closer, expect Javier Mascherano to give fans a proper update on the fitness of his best player.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE

It was not the revenge game Jimmy Butler wanted.

Making his return to Miami after five-and-a-half seasons with the Heat, Butler’s Golden State Warriors dropped their second consecutive game Tuesday night and third out of their last five, 112-86.

The game was so out of hand that Butler sat half of the fourth quarter, with Miami continuing to build on its lead.

“The main part about Jimmy’s return to Miami is that the Heat were ready,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game.

The Warriors were playing their second game without All-Star guard Stephen Curry, who is working his way back from a pelvic contusion.

Here’s everything you need to know about Butler’s return to Miami:

How many points did Jimmy Butler score vs. Miami Heat?

In what ended up being a frustrating, turnover-filled night for the Warriors, Butler finished with only 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting and added six rebounds and two assists.

Nine of Butler’s points came in the third quarter as Golden State was trying to make a run to narrow its deficit. Butler had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half, as each Warriors starter had accounted for just two points apiece headed into intermission.

For most of the game, as his defensive assignments, Butler drew Heat forward Bam Adebayo, the team’s premier defender, and Haywood Highsmith, a reserve forward also known to be a stopper.

Butler did make his first attempt of the game, getting to the lane and bodying Heat guard Tyler Herro before he laced a one-handed push shot. It was Golden State’s first points of the night and ended a 7-0 Miami run to start the game.

After the game, Butler was cordial and complimentary of his years with the Heat organization.

“It takes me back to some good times when I was wearing a Miami Heat jersey,” he said. “Very appreciative of those times. They helped me become the player I am in this league, the individual that I am in this league, teammate, leader, all of those things, and I don’t think I could be who I am today without my opportunity here.”

According to the TNT’s Taylor Rooks, however, Butler said before the game that “I have nothing to say to Pat, and Pat better have nothing to say to me” when Rooks asked what Butler would do if he ran into Heat president Pat Riley.

How did Miami Heat players welcome Jimmy Butler?

Butler did catch up with at least one of his former teammates prior to tip-off. At one point, TNT cameras showed Butler coming from behind to surprise Heat forward Kevin Love, before the pair shared a short conversation, laughing and smiling throughout.

Once the game ended, Butler greeted a couple of people sitting courtside near the Warriors bench, but went into the locker room without exchanging words with his previous teammates.

All-Star guard Tyler Herro, one of Butler’s Heat teammates for the entire time that Butler was in Miami, said that he did not have any pre- or post-game conversations with Butler.

“It was my first time playing him, but it was a normal game, it felt like,” Herro said.

The Heat shot a blistering 17-of-25 (68%) from 3-point range and played controlled defense, which coach Erik Spoelstra said was the result of his team’s attention to detail.

“You don’t want to become too emotional,” Spoelstra said after the game. “I did not feel like we were too hyped up at all. It was more laser focused on the competition and competing at a high level and playing well. That’s the fine line you always need to find in team sports.”

How did Miami Heat fans welcome Jimmy Butler?

Butler was introduced pre-game by public address announcer Michael Baiamonte in a cadence that was only slightly more subdued than the way he was introduced when he was a member of the Heat. Although there was a smattering of boos, Butler was received, for the most part, by adulating fans, many of whom gave Butler a standing ovation.

The Heat also played a short tribute video moments before Butler was introduced to the crowd at the Kaseya Center.

Once the game started, however, fans booed Butler every time he touched the ball.

What happened during Jimmy Butler’s time with the Miami Heat?

Because of his gritty play and clutch performances, Butler became a fan favorite over his five-and-a-half seasons in Miami. He was twice named an All-Star during that span and led Miami to a pair of NBA Finals appearances.

The relationship soured, however. The Heat suspended Butler several times this season for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.”

The Heat traded Butler Feb. 5 in a multi-team deal that brought back Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and draft picks to Miami.

Upon being traded to the Warriors, Butler inked a two-year, $121 million extension with the Warriors.