Lionel Messi will discuss his sensational start to life in the USA in his first press conference for the club on Thursday.
Inter Miami face Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final at GEODIS Park on Saturday night, having reached the showpiece event and secured a 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup place largely on the back of Messi’s magnificent form.
Since completing his switch from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has hit the ground running, scoring nine goals and laying on four assists in six matches for the side coached by fellow Argentine Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
During his time in Europe, Messi was famous for rarely engaging in media duties, meaning it is something of a coup for reporters to be granted an audience with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner at this early stage of his career in the US.
Here is all you need to know about the press conference.
FULL RECAP: A full roundup of the first Lionel Messi press conference with Inter Miami
When is Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami press conference?
The briefing will take place on Thursday, August 17 at 4 p.m. ET in the press conference room at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.
A limited capacity in the room means that several media members will be participating in Messi’s presser via Zoom.
The Sporting News' Kyle Bonn will be in attendance and providing updates throughout the event.
MORE: Messi scores second longest goal of his career vs. Philadelphia
Where to watch Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami press conference
Similar to recent pre- and post-game press conferences, the club is streaming the event on its social channels with the regular outlets being Twitter and YouTube:
It remains to be seen whether media outlets in the USA or Argentina will stream the press conference live. Argentina's TyC Sports has moved its star reporter Gaston Edul to be on location in Miami since Messi's arrival.
MORE: Messi's Miami apartment | Messi's wife & family | Messi's net worth
Live Press Conference 🎤
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 17, 2023
Tune in at 4PM ET for our live press conference with Lionel Messi on Twitter and YouTube. pic.twitter.com/O3Ln1B8uCe
Will Messi speak English?
It’s very unlikely that Messi will try his hand at English, with an interpreter likely to be earning their money alongside Argentina’s 2022 World Cup hero.
Messi has taken English lessons and understands the language, with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo a speaker.
However, in a 2021 interview, he said: "I've been learning English for a year and a half. I understand it, but I don't speak it.”
It’s not impossible that Messi’s linguistic prowess has improved markedly over the past couple of years but, let’s face it, he’s kind of had a lot on his plate.
MORE: Inter Miami beginner's guide | Messi's new stadium | Club owners | New coach
Lionel Messi goals for Inter Miami
As per Inter’s press release, Messi “will address his arrival to Inter Miami CF, League Cup, Major League Soccer and the exciting upcoming first-ever final for the club.”
There’s certainly a lot to cover, with Messi having had an immediate and transformative impact.
Here’s his full record over the course of Inter’s Leagues Cup run.
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Messi Goals |
Final Result |
Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 21 | Leagues Cup | Cruz Azul (MEX) | 1 (90'+4) | W 2-1 | Highlights |
| July 25 | Leagues Cup | Atlanta United | 2 (8', 22') | W 4-0 | Highlights |
| Aug. 2 | Leagues Cup | Orlando City | 2 (7', 72') | W 3-1 | Highlights |
| Aug. 6 | Leagues Cup | FC Dallas | 2 (6', 85') | D 4-4 (5-3 PKs) |
Highlights |
| Aug. 11 | Leagues Cup | Charlotte FC | 1 (86') | W 4-0 | Highlights |
| Aug. 15 | Leagues Cup | Philadelphia | 1 (20') | W 4-1 | Highlights |
| TOTAL: | 9 goals |
