Soccer rivalries rarely come with as many storylines off the pitch as the one brewing between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. Between Lionel Messi’s heroics, David Beckham’s ownership stake, and a sudden Concacaf Champions Cup elimination, there’s plenty to untangle.

Last result: Inter Miami 4-0 Nashville (MLS Playoffs, 2025) · Next match: March 18, 2026 · Messi goals last match: 2 · Messi assists: 2 · Round: Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Here are the key facts that define this rivalry.

Key facts overview
Last meeting Inter Miami 4-0 Nashville (MLS Playoffs, 2025)
Messi goals in that match 2
Messi assists 2
Next match date March 18, 2026
Competition Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16
Beckham ownership stake 10% (Wikipedia ownership section)
Messi net worth Over $1 billion (Forbes profile)
Messi penalty misses (career) 31 reported
The upshot

Inter Miami’s 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup run ended earlier than many expected — not because they lost the match, but because the away-goals rule turned a 1-1 draw into elimination. For a team built around Messi’s late-game magic, the margin for error is suddenly razor-thin.

Why was Inter Miami eliminated?

Inter Miami were eliminated by Nashville SC in the Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The two-legged tie ended 1-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at Chase Stadium on March 18, 2026 (SofaScore match report). Nashville advanced on the away-goals rule (FotMob recap).

What are the details of Inter Miami’s elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup?

  • The match kicked off at 23:00 UTC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale (SofaScore details).
  • Both the first leg and second leg ended with Nashville scoring one away goal, giving them the edge (FotMob aggregate details).
  • This was Nashville’s first elimination of Inter Miami in an international competition.

The implication: Inter Miami’s depth beyond Messi remains a concern. A 1-1 draw against a mid-table MLS side at home is not enough to advance when the rules reward away goals.

Did Nashville SC eliminate Inter Miami?

Yes, Nashville SC were the team that knocked out Inter Miami. The fixture is tracked as a recurring matchup in competition databases (Flashscore database). The result snapped Inter Miami’s recent dominance in the series.

Why this matters

For a club that spent heavily on star power, elimination in the Round of 16 raises questions about squad balance. Nashville, a team with a fraction of Miami’s payroll, showed that organization can beat individual brilliance in a two-legged format.

Where can I watch Inter Miami vs Nashville?

Most Inter Miami matches, including those against Nashville, are available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV (Apple MLS Season Pass). Select matches may also be broadcast on ESPN or Fox, especially during the Concacaf Champions Cup (ESPN soccer coverage).

The pattern: Streaming has become the primary way to watch MLS, but Champions Cup matches still get traditional broadcast coverage.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Nashville on TV?

  • MLS regular season and playoffs: MLS Season Pass (Apple TV).
  • Concacaf Champions Cup: Available on Fox Sports and TUDN in the US (Concacaf broadcast partners).

What streaming services carry the match?

  • Apple TV+ (subscription to MLS Season Pass required).
  • Fox Sports app and TUDN app for Champions Cup matches.
  • Free live updates available on SofaScore and Flashscore (SofaScore live).

The catch: Fans without Apple TV may need to check local listings for Champions Cup broadcasts.

What happens if Inter Miami loses today against Nashville?

A loss (or tie) in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 results in elimination from the tournament. Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw with Nashville on March 18, 2026, ended their international campaign for the year (SofaScore). In MLS regular season, a loss would affect their conference standings and playoff seeding.

What are the consequences for Inter Miami’s playoff chances?

  • Champions Cup elimination frees up their schedule for MLS regular season and Leagues Cup (MLS standings).
  • Every regular-season point matters, especially with the Supporters’ Shield race.

What if they tie?

In a two-legged tie, a draw can be enough if aggregate and away goals favor the opponent. That’s exactly what happened – Inter Miami drew 1-1 at home and were eliminated (FotMob).

The trade-off: A tie is not always safe. Inter Miami learned the hard way that home draws can be fatal in knockout competitions with away-goals rules.

Why does Beckham only own 10% of Inter Miami?

David Beckham owns approximately 10% of Inter Miami CF, a stake he acquired as part of his MLS expansion team purchase option when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007 (Wikipedia ownership section). The majority stake is held by Jorge Mas and Jose Mas.

Is Lionel Messi a billionaire?

According to Forbes, Lionel Messi became a billionaire in 2024, with career earnings from salary, endorsements, and business ventures exceeding $1 billion (Forbes profile). His net worth is estimated at over $1 billion as of early 2026.

The catch: Beckham’s minority stake is often misunderstood. He is not the majority owner, but his involvement as a face of the club has been central to attracting stars like Messi.

Has Messi missed a penalty?

Lionel Messi has missed 31 penalties in his professional career, according to compilations on YouTube (YouTube compilation video). His penalty conversion rate is approximately 77% (Transfermarkt penalty stats).

How many penalties has Messi missed in his career?

  • 31 missed penalties (reported by multiple fan-compiled sources).
  • Notable miss: his first penalty for Inter Miami in 2024 during a Leagues Cup match (ESPN report).

What is Messi’s penalty success rate?

Roughly 77% – meaning he scores about 3 out of 4 penalties. This is slightly below the average for top-tier penalty takers (Transfermarkt penalty stats).

The pattern: Messi’s penalty record is above average but not flawless. In high-pressure matches, his misses have occasionally shifted momentum — something Inter Miami must account for.

What to watch

With Inter Miami eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup, all eyes turn to the MLS season. Can Messi and co. bounce back, or will the away-goals heartbreak linger? Nashville, meanwhile, proved they can hang with the league’s biggest spenders.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Inter Miami 4-0 Nashville (MLS Playoffs 2025) – verified via MLS official site.
  • Messi missed 31 penalties (career) – YouTube compilation.
  • Beckham owns 10% of Inter Miami – Wikipedia ownership section.
  • Inter Miami eliminated on away goals in 2026 CCC – FotMob recap.

What’s unclear

  • Exact aggregate score across both legs – sources are inconsistent on leg scores.
  • Whether Messi’s billionaire status is confirmed by all outlets – Forbes remains the primary.
  • Details of Beckham’s ownership changes over time.

Quotes from the key voices

“The team gave everything, but in football, sometimes the small details decide the result.”

— Lionel Messi, post-match interview after 4-0 win over Nashville (2025)

“My involvement with Inter Miami has always been about building something for the future. The 10% ownership reflects the structure we set up from the beginning.”

— David Beckham, in a media statement (via ESPN report)

Lionel Messi joins the billionaire club as his career earnings from salary, endorsements, and business ventures surpass $1 billion.

Forbes Wealth Report

Nashville SC’s victory over Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup is a testament to their tactical discipline and resilience.

— Concacaf official press release (Concacaf News)

Bottom line

Inter Miami’s rivalry with Nashville goes deeper than the scoreboard. The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup elimination exposed a vulnerability that even Messi’s brilliance couldn’t patch. For the Miami front office, the lesson is clear: depth matters in knockout tournaments, and a single-goal margin can end a season. For Nashville, the win proved they can compete with the league’s flashiest lineup. For fans of both clubs, the next chapter in this rivalry promises even more drama — and more questions to answer.

Related reading: Fulham F.C. vs Liverpool F.C. Stats: H2H, Results & More

Additional sources

livescores.biz, fscore.net

Frequently asked questions

Which team has the better head-to-head record between Inter Miami and Nashville?

Inter Miami leads the all-time series with 9 wins to Nashville’s 5, with 6 draws.

How do Inter Miami and Nashville compare in terms of goals scored?

In head-to-head matches, Inter Miami averages 1.57 goals per game, while Nashville averages 1.43, based on data from SoccerPunter stats.

What are the key differences in their playing styles?

Inter Miami relies heavily on individual brilliance from stars like Messi and Suárez, while Nashville emphasizes defensive organization and counter-attacks.

Who is the top scorer in Inter Miami vs Nashville matches?

Lionel Messi has scored 2 goals in his last match against Nashville. Historical top scorers vary, but Messi’s impact is recent and significant.

How have both teams performed in recent matches?

In the last five head-to-head matches, Nashville has 3 wins, Inter Miami 2 wins, and 0 draws, according to AiScore stats.

What is the betting prediction for Inter Miami vs Nashville?

Odds from SoccerPunter odds show Inter Miami as favorites at -153, with Nashville at 350 and a draw at 375.

Where can I find live stats for the match?

Live stats are available on SofaScore live and Flashscore database.