Is Lionel Messi playing today? Status, lineup for Argentine star in next Inter Miami game

Kyle Bonn

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Is Lionel Messi playing today? Status, lineup for Argentine star in next Inter Miami game image

Every week, Lionel Messi garners more attention than any other player in Major League Soccer.

The Argentine star is largely considered the greatest player of all time, and therefore his every move is watched closely by fans and media alike.

Messi has rewritten the football record books throughout his illustrious career, but he has also occasionally struggled with muscle injuries and other fitness concerns. As he will turn 38 years old in the middle of the 2025 season, there are more eyeballs than ever on his weekly game status.

STREAM:Catch every single match of the 2025 season with MLS Season Pass from Apple TV

The Sporting News takes a look at whether Messi is available for selection, and what the likelihood of him seeing the field is on a game-to-game basis.

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

  • Next match: Inter Miami vs. Cavalier — Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
  • Lionel Messi status: Expected to play

Messi sat out the 4-1 win at Houston Dynamo on Sunday, despite not being confirmed as injured prior to the game, which led to plenty of anger from home fans.

The suggestion is that coach Javier Mascherano was simply affording him some rest, meaning he should be fine for the CONCACAF Champions Cup match this Thursday.

Inter Miami matches 2024/25: Schedule and results

The Sporting News will be updating the table below with the latest results from Inter Miami's 2024/25 season as the matches happen.

MORE: All the latest soccer action | Lionel Messi news

DateCompetitionStageOpponentHome
/Away
/Neutral		Result/Time
(ET)		Messi Goal(s)
Wed, Feb. 19CONCACAF Champions CupRound OneSporting KCAW 1-01
Sat, Feb. 22MLSRegular seasonNYCFCHD 2-20
Tue, Feb. 25CONCACAF Champions CupRound OneSporting KCHW 3-11
Sun, Mar. 2MLSRegular seasonHouston DynamoAW 4-1DNP
Thur, Mar. 6CONCACAF Champions CupQuarterfinalsCavalierH8 p.m. 
Sun, Mar. 9MLSRegular seasonCharlotte FCH4 p.m. 
Thu, Mar. 13CONCACAF Champions CupQuarterfinalsCavalierA7 p.m. 
Sun, Mar. 16MLSRegular seasonAtlanta UnitedA7 p.m. 
Sat, Mar. 29MLSRegular seasonPhiladelphia UnionH7:30 p.m. 
Sun, Apr. 6MLSRegular seasonToronto FCH7 p.m. 
Sun, Apr. 13MLSRegular seasonCharlotte FCA4:30 p.m. 
Sat, Apr. 19MLSRegular seasonColumbus CrewA4:30 p.m. 
Sat, Apr. 26MLSRegular seasonFC DallasH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, May 3MLSRegular seasonNY Red BullsH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, May 10MLSRegular seasonMinnesota UnitedA4:30 p.m. 
Wed, May 14MLSRegular seasonSan Jose EarthquakesA10:30 p.m. 
Sun, May 18MLSRegular seasonOrlando CityH7 p.m. 
Sat, May 24MLSRegular seasonPhiladelphia UnionA7:30 p.m. 
Wed, May 28MLSRegular seasonCF MontrealH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, May 31MLSRegular seasonColumbus CrewH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Jun. 14FIFA Club World CupGroup stageAl AhlyN8 p.m. 
Thu, Jun. 19FIFA Club World CupGroup stagePortoN3 p.m. 
Mon, Jun. 23FIFA Club World CupGroup stagePalmeirasN9 p.m. 
Sat, Jun. 28*MLSRegular seasonAtlanta UnitedH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Jul. 5*MLSRegular seasonCF MontrealA7:30 p.m. 
Wed, Jul. 9*MLSRegular seasonNew England RevolutionA7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Jul. 12*MLSRegular seasonNashville SCH7:30 p.m. 
Wed, Jul. 16MLSRegular seasonFC CincinnatiA7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Jul. 19MLSRegular seasonNY Red BullsA7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Jul. 26MLSRegular seasonFC CincinnatiH7 p.m. 
Wed, Jul. 30Leagues CupGroup stageAtlasHTBD 
Sat, Aug. 2Leagues CupGroup stageNecaxaHTBD 
Wed, Aug. 6Leagues CupGroup stagePumas UNAMHTBD 
Sun, Aug. 10**MLSRegular seasonOrlando CityA8 p.m. 
Sat, Aug. 16**MLSRegular seasonLA GalaxyH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Aug. 23**MLSRegular seasonD.C. UnitedA7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Aug. 30**MLSRegular seasonChicago FireH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Sep. 13MLSRegular seasonCharlotte FCA7:30 p.m. 
Tue, Sep. 16MLSRegular seasonSeattle SoundersH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Sep. 20MLSRegular seasonD.C. UnitedH7:30 p.m. 
Wed, Sep. 24MLSRegular seasonNYCFCA7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Sep. 27MLSRegular seasonToronto FCA4:30 p.m. 
Sat, Oct. 4MLSRegular seasonNew England RevolutionH7:30 p.m. 
Sat, Oct. 18MLSRegular seasonNashville SCA6 p.m. 

* At risk of being postponed should Inter Miami progress to the Club World Cup knockout phase.
** At risk of being postponed should Inter Miami progress to the Leagues Cup knockout phase.

Kyle Bonn

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.