Why Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are playing a friendly in Puerto Rico today

Inter Miami takes the field Thursday in Puerto Rico for a previously postponed friendly against Independiente del Valle, a match that had to be delayed earlier because of an injury to Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami’s difficult start to the season

The 2026 MLS season has not begun the way head coach Javier Mascherano and his players hoped. Last weekend’s loss to Los Angeles FC in their Major League Soccer opener served as a wake-up call for the Herons, who now face two important matchups this week.

Before Sunday’s Florida rivalry clash against Orlando City SC, Inter Miami will make a required stop in Puerto Rico. The team will play its final friendly of this stretch against Independiente del Valle, the opponent it was originally scheduled to face a couple of weeks ago before Messi’s injury forced a postponement.

Managing Messi’s minutes

Now that Messi has recovered, Inter Miami will honor the commitment. Still, Mascherano knows he cannot take unnecessary risks with the Argentine superstar.

Messi is expected to see some minutes, enough to delight fans in Puerto Rico, but without overextending himself as Miami looks ahead to the games that matter most.

At this stage of the season, the match against Independiente del Valle is largely about fulfilling the agreement already in place. The club’s focus is shifting toward its second MLS game, where Inter Miami will be chasing its first win of the campaign on the road against Orlando City.

The team is also beginning to turn its attention to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a tournament Miami considers a major priority. On March 10, The Herons will open their campaign away at Nashville SC.

What the game means for Inter Miami

With this mandatory trip to Puerto Rico, Mascherano will use the match to keep shaping his preferred lineup while carefully managing minutes for the team’s new arrivals.

One player who needs more time on the field is Germán Berterame. The forward is expected to become an important piece in attack, but he is still adjusting to the playing style of the reigning MLS champions.

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