The 2024 Copa America will take place this summer and that means Inter Miami will have to make do without superstar Lionel Messi.
Messi was at full strength in 2024, apart from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a few games in March and early April. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has seven goals and six assists in just six MLS appearances, just one goal behind Golden Boot leader Cristian “Chicho” Arango.
The Argentine’s brilliant play has cemented the Herons at the top of the Eastern Conference with 18 points from 10 games played, but with Messi and Luis Suárez heading to the Copa America, it will be a big challenge for them to secure top spot in the division hold.
Here are the games Miami’s No. 10 could miss in the summer as he looks to lead Argentina to a second straight Copa America title in what could be their last major international tournament.
Messi and his Argentine friends will most likely be called up to the national team about a week before their first friendly against Ecuador on June 9th. If Messi does not suffer any injuries by then, he will have to miss out. There are doubts as to whether he will be included in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the competition.
Argentina will also face Guatemala in their second preseason game on June 14.
Just a day before Argentina kicks off the Copa America, the Herons will face reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on June 19. Even without the greatest player of all time, it should be an exciting contest between two of the most entertaining teams in Major League Soccer.
Meanwhile, Messi will try to lead the Herons to victory over Canada in Argentina’s first group stage match against Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20.
Argentina will try to narrowly qualify for the knockout stages when they face Chile at MetLife Stadium on June 25th and will complete their group stage against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium on June 29th – ironically Play in Miami instead of. Depending on whether Argentina finishes first or second in Group A, they will face Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador and Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Miami will once again renew its rivalry with Nashville SC on June 29 at GEODIS Park. The two clubs had some heated encounters in the League Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup last year, but this time Messi will not take part.
Should Argentina live up to expectations and progress to the quarter-finals, they will aim to progress to the next stage of the competition when the last eight will be played from July 4-6. Meanwhile, Miami will return to action on July 3, taking on Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium.
Miami’s last visit to TQL Stadium against FC Cincinnati was quite an eventful one, as the Herons got out of Ohio on penalties en route to the League Cup title. Miami is ready to face the Orange and Blue on July 6, looking to make it two straight wins over the Herons.
However, the Herons may not have Messi available this time if Argentina continues to win the Copa America. After the quarter-finals, the semi-finals are scheduled for July 9th-10th, with Messi and Co. still hoping to be in the conversation and just one game away from the final.
Miami will face Toronto FC at home on July 17, just three days after the Copa America final on July 14. Even though Argentina are eliminated in the semi-finals just a few days earlier, the reigning world champions will still take part in the third-place competition on July 14.
Miami’s final Major League Soccer contest before the League Cup is July 20 at Chase Stadium against the Chicago Fire. Although the Copa America will be over by this game, Messi will most likely sit out this game to recover for the international tournament and to recharge for the League Cup.
Miami will want their superstar to be fit and fit to repeat as champions after last year’s final triumph over Nashville, when the club won their first ever title.