MLS
Messi facing a marathon run of matches with Inter Miami
The Argentine star faces a total of seven matches in the next 21 days with the US Open Cup final and a playoff push on the line for Inter Miami.
Leo Messi is back in Miami after being rested by Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni in the match against Bolivia. The Albiceleste captain is now 36 and has been heavily involved in almost every Inter Miami game since he joined the Herons in July. Now, as the MLS regular season reaches its final stretch and with a US Open Cup final looming at the end of the month, how Inter Miami use Messi will be essential in securing the club’s objective of more silverware and a place in the playoffs.
As teams return to domestic activity after the FIFA break, the Herons face a mammoth schedule which will see Tata Martino’s men play 7 key games in 21 days, which works out at a ratio of one game every 3 days.
The Argentine coach was coy when being asked about Messi playing in Saturday’s MLS game away to Atlanta United, where a packed house of more than 70,000 fans are expected at the Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Managing Messi
The 21 marathon run of Inter Miami games begins with Saturday’s trip to Atlanta and ends with a home game against a Cincinnati. After this run, MLS will stop as players depart for another national team window with Argentina returning to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
27 September is a significant date in the immediate fixture list as Inter Miami will face Houston Dynamo in the final of the US Open Cup with the Herons anxious to add to their recent Leagues Cup trophy.
Inter Miami: next seven games
09/16: Atlanta United - Inter Miami (17:00 EST)
09/21: Inter Miami - Toronto F.C. (19:30 EST)
09/25: Orlando City - Inter Miami (19:30 EST)
09/27: Inter Miami - Houston Dynamo (20:30 EST) *US Open Cup Final
1/10: Inter Miami - New York City (19:30 EST)
5/10: Chicago Fire - Inter Miami (20:30 EST)
8/10: Inter Miami - FC Cincinnati (19:30 EST)
Not just one Messi at Inter Miami
In other Messi news, there are now three Messis playing with Inter Miami, and the eldest Thiago made his debut on Thursday night in a 2-0 win for the Under-12s.