We’re two games into MLS’ Lionel Messi era, and he’s clearly going to be appointment viewing. The Inter Miami star has scored three times already, including a stunning game-winning free kick in his debut last Friday.
But Messi’s arrival came during the Leagues Cup, not regular MLS play, making it slightly more difficult to figure out his schedule. So when is the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner returning to action? We’ve got you covered.
When is Messi’s next match?
After winning its first two Leagues Cup outings, Inter Miami will play its round of 32 match Wednesday, Aug. 2.
What team will Inter Miami play next?
The club will host the winner of Group 2 South in the round of 32. Currently, all three teams in the group are still able to finish in first place.
Here’s where things stand:
- Houston Dynamo: 2 matches played, 3 points
- Orlando City: 1 match played, 2 points
- Santos Laguna: 1 match played, 1 point
Orlando City hosts Santos Laguna on Saturday in this group’s final match. If either of those teams wins, that team will travel to Miami for the knockout round. If regulation ends in a tie, things go to penalty kicks, and then it all depends on what the final score in regulation was and who wins the shootout.
Are there tickets available?
As of Wednesday, resale and official tickets were available on Ticketmaster for the Aug. 2 match for between $126 and $1,200 (before fees). While Messi’s debut was announced as a sellout, there appeared to be empty seats at his second game Tuesday.
How to watch Messi’s next match
Every Leagues Cup match is available via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Select matches are also airing on TUDN and Univision in the United States.
What is the Leagues Cup?
The Leagues Cup is a new tournament in which all MLS and Liga MX teams participate in order to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup (in this case, for the 2024 edition). All 47 first-division clubs in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are pausing their league seasons from July 21 to Aug. 19 for the World Cup-style tournament.
