Chicago Fire are set to host Inter Miami on Wednesday, September 9, at Soldier Field, in a highly anticipated Major League Soccer (MLS) clash that is expected to see Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski face each other for the first time in the league. Both superstars are anticipated to feature in the starting XI for what is one of the season’s most anticipated MLS matchups, marking a significant moment in their storied rivalry.

Messi and Lewandowski’s Rivalry Rekindled in MLS

The upcoming fixture revives a long-standing and at times tense history between the two iconic forwards. While Robert Lewandowski previously played against Inter Miami following his July 22 arrival in Chicago – a match Messi missed while resting after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup run, which Inter Miami won 3-2 – this will be the first MLS game where both players are expected to be on the pitch, according to World Soccer Talk.

The friction between them became public after the cancellation of the 2020 Ballon d’Or. Messi, in his 2021 acceptance speech, stated Lewandowski deserved the prior year’s honour, a sentiment the Polish striker later publicly questioned for its sincerity. This led to Messi excluding Lewandowski from his voting ballot for the FIFA The Best award, further fueling public friction between the two.

Tension also spilled onto the pitch during Matchday 3 of the 2022 World Cup group stage, where Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Poland. Messi visibly snubbed an on-field greeting from Lewandowski prior to kick-off and later aggressively dribbled at him, drawing a foul. Speaking to ESPN a year later, Messi admitted he harboured “extra motivation” during that match, stating: “I was bothered by the statements Lewandowski had made… I dribbled past him again just because it was him.” This marked their last encounter until today.

Head-to-Head Record and Team Form

Their individual head-to-head record stands at 2-2-0, with Messi’s Argentina World Cup victory over Poland evening the series. This MLS showdown, set for the 2026 MLS season, offers a chance for one of the stars to take the lead. Their European club meetings included the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where Messi scored twice and assisted once in Barcelona’s 3-0 first-leg win over Bayern Munich. Lewandowski scored in Bayern’s 3-2 second-leg victory, but Barcelona advanced 5-3 on aggregate. Their final European club encounter was Bayern’s 8-2 quarter-final victory over Barcelona in 2020, where Lewandowski recorded a goal and an assist.

In terms of current MLS form, Chicago Fire enter the contest on a six-match unbeaten streak in MLS play and sit fifth in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 38 points from 22 matches. Inter Miami, meanwhile, hold third place with 43 points from 23 games, having experienced a mixed stretch of one win, two draws, and two losses over their last five outings. More details on Major League Soccer statistics and head-to-head can be found via outlets such as the BBC.

The match is a key Eastern Conference clash, with Lionel Messi set to start for Inter Miami as they look to snap their recent rough patch of form. Messi has continued to produce at a level that has allowed him to leave a mark on the franchise since his arrival in South Florida in 2023, and has even been included in the 30-nominee list for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, prompting questions whether he’s the only player in the league to ever be nominated.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami match?
  The match is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at Soldier Field.
• Are Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski expected to play?
  Yes, both superstars are expected to feature in the starting XI for this MLS matchup.
• What is their head-to-head record?
  Their all-time head-to-head record is currently even at 2-2-0, setting the stage for this match to break the tie.