With the end of the March FIFA window, international friendlies will pause for at least a couple of months before returning shortly before the World Cup, when national teams will finalise their preparations. This break from international fixtures benefits clubs, especially Inter Miami, who will have a much freer Lionel Messi in their ranks heading into the tournament.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding his future with Argentina, where it has been suggested that Messi’s participation with the Albiceleste in the World Cup is not guaranteed, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will have enough time and, above all, the peace of mind to make that decision.

With no international friendlies scheduled in the meantime, all attention will shift to the present with Inter Miami, a team that, after being eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, will have MLS as its only competition this semester.

That schedule represents one, or at most two, matches per week for the Garzas, meaning Lionel Messi will not face the same overwhelming match load that he experienced earlier in his career.

This could be a double-edged sword for Messi. His reduced and sometimes irregular activity in MLS raises questions about match fitness, although the additional rest could also help him arrive at the World Cup in the best possible physical condition.

What matches will Messi have with Inter Miami before the World Cup?

With both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the US Open Cup out of the picture, Inter Miami’s full focus turns to MLS, which resumes on 4 April with the club’s first-ever match at Nu Stadium.

Later in April, Messi will have four more commitments before moving into May, a month in which five matches await him before the World Cup.

These are Inter Miami’s matches before the World Cup

April

• April 4: Inter Miami vs Austin FC 
• April 11: Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls 
• April 18: Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami
• April 22: Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami 
• April 25: Inter Miami vs New England Revolution 

May

• May 2: Inter Miami vs Orlando City 
• May 9: Toronto FC vs Inter Miami 
• May 13: Cincinnati vs Inter Miami 
• May 17: Inter Miami vs Portland Timbers 
• May 24: Inter Miami vs Philadelphia Union 

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