Is Lionel Messi playing in Inter Miami vs NYCFC friendly? Why Noche d'Or match is happening in November

Inter Miami's 2023 competitive campaign may be over, but the club will take the field for one final time this calendar year.

The MLS side will play a friendly against fellow U.S. team New York City FC on Friday, November 10 to celebrate Lionel Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or and give him a fitness boost for upcoming international duty as well.

The match at DRV PNK Stadium, streamed live globally on Apple TV, will be the final chance for fans to honor the achievements of the Argentina great and give him a good send-off before 2024.

As Messi prepares for Argentina's November international fixtures, including a massive World Cup qualifier against rivals Brazil, this match will serve as a chance for him to remain fit despite Inter Miami's failure to extend their competitive season into the ongoing MLS playoffs.

MORE: MLS playoff schedule, fixtures, highlights, results as top teams push for 2023 title

Is Lionel Messi playing in Inter Miami vs NYCFC friendly?

While it's unlikely he will play the full 90 minutes, Lionel Messi will start this match.

The Argentine has been named in Inter Miami's starting line-up for the friendly clash.

Earlier in the week, Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino explained his approach. 

"Friday is an opportunity to compete again, for fans to see Leo and his teammates on the pitch again, and to say goodbye to the season," Martino said.

"We want to join him in celebrating his eighth Ballon d'Or," Martino continued. "It's a chance for people to see it again. I don't know if it's for 90 minutes."

The game has been arranged for his benefit, and his honor, after all. The Argentine won yet another Ballon d'Or trophy in late October, giving him eight across his illustrious career, the most of anyone in history.

"Friday is an opportunity to compete again, for fans to see Leo and his teammates on the pitch again, and to say goodbye to the season. It will be a good opportunity." - Tata Martino pic.twitter.com/USSx5o2Gd6

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 9, 2023

Why are Inter Miami playing NYCFC in a friendly?

With Inter Miami out of the MLS playoffs, Messi needs game time to keep him fit and ready for Argentina's matches against Uruguay and Brazil later this month.

Inter Miami had initially scheduled a pair of games in China for this purpose, but those were called off due to "logistical hurdles" and this fixture was organized last-minute instead.

From a competitive standpoint, none of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers are of a terribly high importance anymore on their own. The FIFA tournament's expansion for 2026 makes Argentina essentially a shoo-in for qualification, and no single game will be critical in a purely logistical manner.

Yet their November opponents are two of Argentina's fiercest South American rivals in Uruguay and Brazil. As such, these matches have been circled on their calendar for some time regardless of their minimal effect on the reigning world champions' qualification chances.

This game is therefore a chance for Messi to maintain match sharpness all while allowing fans to pay tribute to his achievement in winning a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or. The event itself is being called 'Noche d'Or', or 'Golden Night', in recognition of his award win.

MORE: Recap the 2023 Ballon d'Or festivities as Lionel Messi won his record eighth trophy

How to watch Inter Miami friendly vs NYCFC

The friendly match between Inter Miami and NYCFC will be available to watch exclusively on MLS Season Pass from Apple TV.

Apple TV is also the exclusive home of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs, with the first round nearing conclusion and the quarterfinals nearly complete.

What time does Inter Miami vs NYCFC friendly kick off?

This club friendly at DRV PNK Stadium kicks off on Friday, November 10 at 8 p.m. local time in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe: