Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake live score, result, updates, highlights from Lionel Messi 2024 MLS season opener

Lionel Messi will embark on his first full MLS season as Inter Miami look to start 2024 in style against Western Conference foes Real Salt Lake in Ft. Lauderdale.

The match will draw the curtain on the entire 2024 MLS campaign, with all other sides beginning play on the weekend.

Thanks to Messi's influence, Inter Miami are considered the betting favorites to win the league title this year, which would be an incredible accomplishment after finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference last season. Messi is also considered an overwhelming favorite to win the league's Golden Boot award in 2024, which will require him to remain healthy across the entire campaign — a tall ask considered his age and history.

With Luis Suarez added to the mix, Inter Miami have a formidable attacking unit, but they also must address the porous defensive structure that played its role in their sunken season a year ago.

The Sporting News is following the Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

2024 MLS PREDICTIONS: MLS Cup winner | Golden Boot | Inter Miami prediction | Messi goals in 2024

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernandez

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Starting lineups (predicted):

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Aviles, Freire, Alba — D. Ruiz, Busquets, Gressel — Messi, Suarez, D. Gomez.

Real Salt Lake (4-4-2, right to left): MacMath (GK) — Eneli, Vera, Glad, Oviedo — C. Gomez, Ojeda, Palacio, Luna — Julio, Arango.

2 hours to kickoff: Earlier, we touched on expectations vs reality for Inter Miami with regards to the 2024 MLS Cup title. The same questions must be asked of Lionel