Miami, FL
Will Lionel Messi Play for Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union?
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?
JOIN SI SOCCER’S INTER MIAMI WHATSAPP COMMUNITY – GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE
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
Miami, FL
Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport
Travel disruptions continued Sunday at Miami International Airport after hundreds of flights to and from the Caribbean were canceled, leaving passengers stranded, separated from their luggage, and scrambling to salvage vacation plans.
The Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace in and around Venezuela following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, triggering a ripple effect across Caribbean travel routes.
By Sunday, long lines had formed inside MIA as travelers waited hours to track down luggage that had been sent ahead — even though their flights never took off.
“As you can see, there’s a lot of people, and apparently thousands and thousands of bags,” said Jennifer Heimann, who was traveling from Tampa.
Heimann and her family were scheduled to sail on a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. Their flight to St. Thomas was canceled, but their luggage still made the trip.
“They said, ‘Your bags are in St. Thomas,’ and I said, ‘Wait — our bags are there and we’re not?’” Heimann said. “We can’t even get a flight until Thursday, and they just sent the bags ahead.”
The family is now renting a car to drive back to Tampa and hoping their luggage eventually finds its way home.
Similar frustrations were echoed by other travelers across the terminal.
The Cookson family, traveling from Tyler, Texas, had their flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico canceled just before they were set to board a cruise.
“They’re shipping our bags out to the Caribbean and not allowing us to retrieve them,” said Pamela Cookson. “We don’t know when we’re going to get our luggage.”
American Airlines says it added six additional flights out of Miami, bringing the total to roughly two dozen extra flights and nearly 5,000 additional seats to help impacted customers. Even so, many passengers told CBS News Miami the earliest rebooking available wasn’t until Thursday.
Susan Daniel, traveling from Little Rock, Arkansas to St. Croix, said the delays forced her family to make last-minute arrangements.
“We had to Uber, leave our bags, get an Airbnb, then come back today, take another Uber, and stand in this long line just to hopefully get our bags and our computers — everything we need,” Daniel said.
Some travelers reported waiting hours in one line, only to be directed into another long wait for their luggage. Others tried to make the best of the situation.
“Guess we’re vacationing in Miami now for three days or something like that,” said Jake Boylin, who was traveling from St. Louis. “Then going back home and rescheduling the trip.”
The next unanswered question for many travelers: whether they’ll be reimbursed for canceled trips, hotels, and cruises.
Travel experts advise passengers to keep all receipts and documentation in case refunds or reimbursements become available.
Miami, FL
Venezuela supporters join Cuban Americans in Miami show of solidarity
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy opens fire on vehicle after altercation during traffic stop, officials say
An investigation is underway in Northwest Miami-Dade after the sheriff’s office said a deputy opened fire after an altercation occurred during a traffic stop on Sunday night.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a deputy received an alert about a stolen vehicle Sunday evening and eventually located the vehicle in the area of NW 17th Avenue and NW 95th Street in West Little River and conducted a traffic stop.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that as the deputy approached the vehicle, an altercation began, and the deputy opened fire, striking the vehicle.
That vehicle then fled the scene and was located nearby.
The sheriff’s office said a gun was located inside the vehicle, and the driver fled the scene.
That person is still at large as of early Monday morning, officials said.
The deputy was not injured in the incident, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
Politics1 week agoMost shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
-
News1 week agoRoads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
News1 week agoMarijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time