Is Lionel Messi playing today? Status for next Inter Miami game in 2024 MLS regular season

Kyle Bonn

Is Lionel Messi playing today? Status for next Inter Miami game in 2024 MLS regular season image

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are making solid progress in the 2024 MLS campaign but still have work to do if they are to meet the lofty expectations set for them this season.

The Herons are top of the Eastern Conference and won the Supporters' Shield — the prize given to the regular-season champion — but their attention is already turning towards the playoffs.

Messi was a huge part of the club's early success, scoring key goals in important results. However, after suffering an ankle injury in the Copa America final, Messi was sidelined for nearly two months, forcing the club to soldier on without him.

He has since returned, but his fitness will be closely watched with the playoffs closing in.

With so many injury issues surrounding Messi's on-field performances, The Sporting News takes a look at whether Messi will play in Inter Miami's upcoming match.

MORE: See Inter Miami's full 2024 schedule here

Is Lionel Messi playing today? Next Inter Miami match vs. Toronto

Messi is expected to play against Toronto on October 5, with coach Tata Martino having said he wants to ensure the player maintains his match rhythm between now and the MLS playoffs.

After missing for nearly two months in the wake of his ankle injury in the Copa America final, Lionel Messi finally returned to Inter Miami with a starting spot against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, September 14.

He returned with a bang, scoring two goals and assisting a third in the 3-1 victory at home.

With the Argentine now back to full fitness, Martino said the club will not hold him back by restricting his minutes — a debatable strategy given his recent injury history and importance of the fast-approaching playoffs.

Messi scored twice to help his side defeat Columbus Crew and claim the Supporters' Shield, yet Martino intends to keep him involved despite their regular season now effectively at an end.

Inter Miami full MLS fixture list for 2024 season

Inter Miami kicked off the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake on February 21, 2024. Their regular-season campaign will conclude on Decision Day on October 19, when they face New England Revolution.

DateOpponentLocationResult
Weds, Feb. 21vs. Real Salt LakeChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 2-0
Sun, Feb. 25at LA GalaxyDignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA)D 1-1
Sat, March 2vs. Orlando CityChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 5-0
Fri, March 8at Nashville SCGeodis Park (Nashville, TN)D 2-2
Sun, March 10vs. MontrealChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)L 3-2*
Sat, March 16at D.C. UnitedAudi Field (Washington, DC)W 3-1*
Sat, March 23at NY Red BullsRed Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)L 4-0*
Sat, March 30vs. NYCFCChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)D 1-1*
Sat, April 6vs. Colorado RapidsChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)D 2-2
Sat, April 13at Sporting KCChildren's Mercy Park (Kansas City, KS)W 3-2
Sat, April 20vs. Nashville SCChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 3-1
Sat, April 27at New England RevolutionGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)W 4-1
Sat, May 4vs. NY Red BullsChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 6-2
Sat, May 11at CF MontrealStade Saputo (Montreal, Canada)W 3-2
Wed, May 15at Orlando CityExploria Stadium (Orlando, FL)D 0-0*
Sat, May 18vs. D.C. UnitedChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 1-0
Sat, May 25at Vancouver WhitecapsBC Place (Vancouver, Canada)W 2-1*
Wed, May 29vs. Atlanta UnitedChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)L 3-1
Sat, June 1vs. St. Louis CityChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)D 3-3
Sat, June 15at Philadelphia UnionSubaru Park (Chester, PA)W 2-1*
Wed, June 19vs. Columbus CrewChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 2-1*
Sat, June 29at Nashville SCGEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)W 2-1*
Wed, July 3at Charlotte FCBank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)W 2-1*
Sat, July 6at FC CincinnatiTQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)W 6-1*
Wed, July 17vs. TorontoChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 3-1*
Sat, July 20vs. Chicago FireChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 2-1*
Sat, Aug. 24vs. FC CincinnatiChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 2-0*
Sat, Aug. 31at Chicago FireSoldier Field (Chicago, IL)W 4-1*
Sat, Sep. 14vs. Philadelphia UnionChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)W 3-1
Wed, Sep. 18at Atlanta UnitedMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)D 2-2
Sat, Sep. 21at NYCFCYankee Stadium (New York City, NY)D 1-1
Sat, Sep. 28vs. Charlotte FCChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)D 1-1
Wed, Oct. 2at Columbus CrewLower.com Field (Columbus, OH)W 3-2
Sat, Oct. 5at Toronto FCBMO Field (Toronto, Canada) 
Sat, Oct. 19vs. New England RevolutionChase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 

Inter Miami schedule for Leagues Cup

The 2024 Leagues Cup began on July 26, running for a month while the MLS season pauses play.

Lionel Messi did not participate in any of Inter Miami's matches in the competition, as he was sidelined with an injury suffered in the Copa America final.

In his absence, the Herons were unable to defend their 2023 title, reaching the Round of 16 where they were eliminated by defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.

RoundDateOpponentScore
Group StageSat, Jul. 27PueblaW 2-0
Group StageSat, Aug. 3TigresL 2-1
Round of 32Aug. 8Toronto FCW 4-3
Round of 16Aug. 13Columbus CrewL 3-2

Inter Miami schedule for CONCACAF Champions Cup

The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, North and Central America's continental club competition, began on February 6. Inter Miami secured a bye through to the Round of 16 via their qualification as Leagues Cup champions.

Thus, Inter Miami's first CCC matchup came against fellow MLS side Nashville SC, who they advanced past via a 5-3 aggregate score, drawing Liga MX giants Monterrey in the quarterfinals. They were beaten 5-2 on aggregate.

RoundDateOpponentScore
Round of 16 — 1st LegThu, Mar. 7Nashville SCNashville 2-2 Inter Miami
Round of 16 — 2nd LegWed, Mar. 13Nashville SCInter Miami 3 (5) - (3) 1 Nashville 
Quarterfinals — 1st LegWed, Apr. 3MonterreyInter Miami 1-2 Monterrey
Quarterfinals — 2nd LegWed, Apr. 10MonterreyMonterrey 3-1 Inter Miami

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.