After a wild final day of the season that saw Los Angeles FC secure the top seed in the Western Conference and Inter Miami set the single season points record, and a wildcard round which saw Atlanta and Vancouver advance, the MLS Cup playoffs are truly underway.

Lionel Messi is on Argentina's roster for a pair of 2026 World Cup qualifying matches later this month. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni called up 28 players Tuesday for a FIFA international window that falls between the MLS Cup Playoffs first round and the conference finals.

Messi admitted that he spent the 2024 preseason tour worried about staying fit for Copa America, which Argentina went on to win in the summer. However, he injured his ankle in the final, keeping him out for two months of Inter Miami's regular season.