Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to open MLS season against Real Salt Lake
Lionel Messi's first full season with Major League Soccer's Inter Miami begins on 21 February at home to Real Salt Lake in a clash three days before other opening matches.
However, given the way the calendar falls, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could miss at least six games due to his commitment to the Argentina national team.
MLS scheduled 11 opening matches on 24 February, three the following day and Vancouver from 2 March. Salt Lake will have just two days off before playing in St. Louis on 24 February.
The regular season ends with 14 games on Oct. 19; the only team in the 29-team league that doesn't play that day is Toronto, which finishes Oct. 5 at home against Miami.
Messi joined Miami in mid-2023 and appeared in just six MLS regular-season games with the club, though he led the team to its first trophy by winning the Leagues Cup shortly after his arrival.
The Real Salt Lake match marks the first meeting between that club and Miami. Also playing Inter Miami for the first time this season are Colorado (in Fort Lauderdale on 6 April) and Vancouver (in British Columbia on 25 May).
MLS released its schedule and each team will play 34 games, the New York Red Bulls offered a Christmas ticket promotion with a catch, which would not include a game against Miami.
Miami visits the New York Red Bulls on March 23 during a FIFA international window in which Messi could be with Argentina.
Because of the June FIFA window and Copa America, Messi also could be with defending champion Argentina when Miami plays at Philadelphia (June 15), at Columbus (June 19), at Nashville (June 29), at Charlotte (July 3). and at Cincinnati (July 6).
After the Copa America final on
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