Messi led Argentina to a 2026 World Cup qualifying victory over Peru in 2026 but is not expected to play again until 2024.
Lionel Messi capped his 2024 on the pitch on Tuesday by guiding Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Peru in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, setting up the only goal for Lautaro Martínez. But now that the Inter Miami star's calendar year is over, when will we see him in action again?
When is Lionel Messi's next match?
With Inter Miami knocked out of the MLS Cup play-offs by Atlanta United, Messi, Luis Suárez and Co will have a longer break than they would have liked. The 2025 MLS season begins the weekend of Feb. 22, although Las Garzas has a friendly against Florida rival Orlando City scheduled for Feb. 14. More will likely be added around that time, so stay tuned.
Last year, Inter Miami played several other warm-up games in El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan in the second half of January/early February, although there is no indication yet as to whether they could do something similar in the second half of January/early February. 2025.
Will Messi stay at Inter Miami in 2025?
These dates, of course, assume that Messi remains in the United States. That seems likely to be the case at this stage, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner telling ESPN Argentina in June that he 'thinks' Inter Miami will be his last club.
However, that hasn't stopped reports linking him with a final move to youth favorites Newell's Old Boys in Argentina once his contract in Florida expires at the end of 2025.
Will Messi play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?
As for the Argentina national team, their next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Uruguay will take place around March 20, 2025, with the exact date yet to be confirmed. Messi continues to go strong at international level as captain of the most recent World Cup and Copa América winners, continuing to strengthen suggestions that he could feature in the United States, Mexico and Canada finals in June and July 2026.
Messi and Miami's roller coaster 2024
Messi scored 20 goals and added 10 assists in 19 MLS games in 2024, inspiring the Herons to their first-ever Supporters' Shield. However, they fell far short of their main goal of winning the MLS Cup after being eliminated by Atlanta United in the first round of the playoffs.
The 37-year-old also missed 15 games in all competitions due to various injuries, which undoubtedly had a negative effect on the team as they were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup.
As a result, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has been relieved of his duties, leaving Messi with a new head coach in 2025, a year in which Inter Miami will participate in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will also be played in the United States.
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