Will Lionel Messi play against Real Salt Lake?

Inter Miami will begin their 2024 MLS campaign on home soil, at the recently renamed Chase Stadium. The Herons host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, 21 February as they look to kick-start the season.

Miami underwent an extensive preseason tour that ended with a home draw against Newell’s Old Boys last week. Now, the most talked-about team in MLS are ready to take on their first opponent of the new campaign.

Will Messi play against Real Salt Lake?

Good news for Inter Miami fans, the team captain looks set to start on Wednesday. Ahead of the game against Real Salt Lake Miami head coach Tata Martino spoke to the media at a press conference. Martino confirmed that Lionel Messi is fit to play in their opening league fixture, as is Luis Suárez.

However their ability to play a full 90 minutes is still unclear. Both veteran stars were used sparingly during preseason and there is a very real need to limit their playing time this season.

“Messi and Suárez are ready to play. If 90 minutes are required, we will see this depending on the team’s needs,” Martino said.

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Martino went on to say that his side feel well-prepared ahead of the curtain-raiser against RSL. Inter Miami boast one of the most talented rosters ever assembled in MLS but it contains some very clear weaknesses. Any long-term success will depend on Martino’s ability to get the best out of his seasoned stars, while remaining compact and disciplined out-of-possession.

“We prepare for the game to be ready if we come under pressure in build-up or if the rival team sits back. What we usually do is try to have answers for any battle that may arise. We believe that we are going to arrive well for the start of the league tomorrow,” he concluded.

Inter Miami injury update

He revealed that the majority of the squad is fit to play, with Argentine defender Nicolás Freire the only one still a doubt for the tie. The Herons coaching team will make a late decision on whether or not to field their recent defensive acquisition.

“Freire is in doubt, but we have not yet confirmed his absence. We are evaluating with the medical staff to what extent there is a risk and to what extent there is no risk,” Martino explained.

Also in contention to start is Paraguayan youngster Diego Gómez, who caught the eye during preseason and led his nation to the 2024 Olympic Games. Martino told reporters that Gómez is in line to get greater game time this season and emphasised how impressed he has been with his progress.

“With Diego Gómez, I think that the Paraguay national team helped him grow a lot in terms of his self-esteem; he is very young, he has impressive physical and football capabilities.”

“In my opinion he was the best or one of the best players of the pre-Olympic tournament and we noticed that he has come with the same confidence. We have great expectations with what it can give us,” the Miami boss said.