FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi has been called up by the Argentina National Team for two matches in Miami and Chicago that will cause him to miss a crucial match with Inter Miami in the heat of the MLS Cup playoff race.
The Argentina matches will cause Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul to miss Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Messi is expected to play in his seventh consecutive match in a span of 21 days when Inter Miami hosts New England Revolution on Saturday, Oct. 4, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed before Friday’s practice. The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
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Messi appeared with De Paul in an Instagram video this week to promote two Argentina matches.
De Paul, who joined Inter Miami this season, did all the talking in the social media post from the Argentine national team and VMG Sports and Entertainment, a group promoting both matches.
“Hello everyone, we’re here with Leo. We wanted to invite you on Oct. 10 to the match at Hard Rock, Miami and on Oct 13 in Chicago to enjoy a beautiful soccer celebration. We’ll be waiting for you,” De Paul said with Messi standing next to him. Messi gave a thumbs up at the end of the video, saying “Abrazo” – which means hug in Spanish.
Messi has traditionally played with Argentina when called upon since joining Inter Miami. However, the MLS club needs all the points it can get to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Inter Miami sits in fourth place with 56 points in the MLS Eastern Conference with three regular season matches remaining. Inter Miami could max out with 65 points with three victories and nine points in the standings.
It may not be enough to catch the Philadelphia Union, who lead the Supporters’ Shield standings with 63 points and could max out with 69 points this season. At the very least, Inter Miami could secure home-field advantage with a Top 4 seed in the MLS Cup playoffs later this month.
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Messi will have a six-day layoff between the New England match and the first Argentina match in South Florida. He will have a five-day layoff between Argentina’s Chicago match and Inter Miami’s season finale against Nashville SC on Oct. 18.
Messi has been scoreless in his last two matches — a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC on Sept. 27 and a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Fire on Sept. 30.
Messi scored five goals in his three previous matches — once in a 3-1 win against the Seattle Sounders on Sept. 16, twice in a 3-2 win against D.C. United on Sept. 20, and twice in a 4-0 win at New York City FC on Sept. 24.
Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?
Messi has not yet declared for the 2026 World Cup, but shared his excitement about possibly playing in the tournament after his last match in Argentina on Sept. 4, 2025.
“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said after scoring twice for Argentina against Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifier in his home country on Sept. 4.
“I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup. Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
Lionel Messi Inter Miami contract update
Messi – whose MLS contract expires at the end of this season – is expected to sign at least a two-year deal to remain with Inter Miami, USA TODAY Sports reported on Sept. 17.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina
- Oct. 4: Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Oct. 10: Argentina vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Miami)
- Oct. 11: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Oct. 13: Puerto Rico vs. Argentina, 7 p.m. ET (International Friendly in Chicago)
- Oct. 18: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, 6 p.m. ET
MLS Cup playoffs calendar
Messi and Inter Miami already clinched a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs. Here are key playoff dates to know:
- Oct. 22: Wild Card Matches
- Oct. 24–Nov. 9: Round One (Best-of-3 Series)
- Nov. 22-23: Conference Semifinals
- Nov. 29-30: Conference Finals
- Dec. 6: MLS Cup final