A Comprehensive Overview of Lionel Messi’s Week with Inter Miami
This week marked a flurry of activities for football legend Lionel Messi and his new club, Inter Miami. The week culminates with the team’s final preseason game on Friday night, setting the stage for an eventful start to the 2023 season.
Inter Miami’s Preseason Finale: A Clash against Orlando City
Inter Miami will face their in-state MLS rival Orlando City in their final preseason match on Friday night, February 17th. The match will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This matchup serves as the fifth and final preseason game for the Miami-based club, providing them with valuable preparation ahead of the upcoming season.
Messi’s Off-Field Activities
Beyond the pitch, Messi has been involved in several notable activities during the week. After attending Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans last Sunday, he debuted a new advertisement for Apple and MLS Season Pass during the post-game festivities.
Additionally, Inter Miami unveiled their newest home jersey, which features a striking design and is now available worldwide. The club also announced that Gatorade has become their new official hydration partner.
Messi’s Impressive Preseason Performance
On the field, Messi has enjoyed a productive preseason with Inter Miami. He has scored two goals in four appearances, all of which have resulted in victories for the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions.
In Inter Miami’s 5-0 preseason win against Honduran giants Club Olimpia Deportivo last Saturday, Messi scored a goal and contributed two assists in just 62 minutes of play.
His impressive performance continued in the preseason opener against Mexican champions Club America in Las Vegas on January 18th, where he scored a header and played 66 minutes. He also featured prominently in games against Universitario in Peru and San Miguelito in Panama City, playing key roles in victories.
Upcoming Fixtures for Messi and Inter Miami
After the preseason finale against Orlando City, Inter Miami’s schedule will ramp up significantly. Here are their next three scheduled matches:
- February 21st: Round 1 of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City
- February 22nd: 2023 MLS season opener at home against New York City FC
- February 25th: Concacaf Champions Cup Round 2 match against Alianza FC
With the regular season rapidly approaching, Inter Miami will be eager to maintain their winning momentum and make a strong start to their 2023 campaign. The presence of Lionel Messi, who continues to demonstrate his exceptional abilities, will undoubtedly be a major asset as the club strives for success on multiple fronts.
