Lionel Messi's next match for Inter Miami as football icon plays in USA's MLS, Leagues Cup, Open Cup schedule

Ben Miller

Lionel Messi's next match for Inter Miami as football icon plays in USA's MLS, Leagues Cup, Open Cup schedule image

Lionel Messi experienced another first in his career when he joined a club midway through their season as a result of his switch to Inter Miami.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) side had plenty of league and cup fixtures left to play when they added the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to their ranks, with Messi describing himself as "very eager to start helping".

"This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project," the 36-year-old World Cup winner added.

The Sporting News looks at when Messi will make his next appearance for Inter Miami and how his schedule shapes up.

MORE: Lionel Messi's salary at Inter Miami: Contract details

When is Messi's next Inter Miami match?

  • Tuesday, August 2: vs. Orlando City, 8pm local time (ET)

Inter Miami's next scheduled match is their Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against Orlando City.

They finished ahead of Houston Dynamo and Santos Laguna to win the South 2 group in the competition and earned the right to potentially prove themselves against one of the greatest players of all time and his team-mates.

Mexican team Santos Laguna lost 3-2 to Orlando on July 30 to decide the standings.

Inter Miami advanced to the first knockout stage at a canter, Messi scoring once in their 2-1 win at Cruz Azul on July 21 and twice in their 4-0 home mauling of Atlanta United four days later.

That match also saw him set one up for Robert Taylor – the scorer of all three of Inter's other goals across those two games.

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Inter Miami fixtures 2023

Messi's spectacular free-kick against Cruz Azul on July 21 and dismantling of Atlanta were his first goals for his new club and helped him take his new country by storm shortly after arriving.

The Argentine left Europe for the first time in his professional career at the end of June 2023, still riding the high of winning the FIFA World Cup for his country last December. He spent 17 years with Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

His declaration and subsequent move to the Sunshine State have been in development for a while. His former manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino replaced Phil Neville as Miami's head coach, and his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have joined him to collect silverware in the States.

MORE: How Inter Miami starting 11 might look with Lionel Messi and friends

He even has been spotted shopping at Florida's top chain supermarket, Publix. Safe to say he's adapting and adjusting just fine in America.

Fans can stream matches via Apple TV+'s MLS Season Pass and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Here's what you need to know about Lionel Messi's schedule with Inter Miami CF as the club winds down its 2023 season.

MORE: Beginner's guide to Lionel Messi's new MLS team, Inter Miami

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami 2023 schedule

Below are the remaining games for Inter Miami that Messi will be a part of. Times and dates are TBD for the rest of the Leagues Cup competition and U.S. Open Cup final should they advance.

MORE: Trophies that Lionel Messi can win with Inter Miami in USA

Leagues Cup

In his first two matches with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi lifted the club into the Leagues Cup Round of 32 thanks to two home wins that he helped orchestrate.

Date Time (ET) Home / Away Opponent
July 21 8 p.m. Home Inter Miami 2-1 Cruz Azul
July 25 7:30 p.m. Home Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United
Aug 2 8pm Home Round of 32 match vs Orlando City
Aug. 6-8 TBD TBD Round of 16
Aug. 11-12 TBD TBD Quarterfinals
Aug. 15. TBD TBD Semifinals
Aug. 19 TBD TBD Final

MLS

After the Leagues Cup is out of the way, Inter Miami will have 12 MLS matchdays left in a bid to reach the MLS Cup playoffs.

If the club finishes in one of the top nine places in the Eastern Conference, they'll advance to the playoffs. But they have ground to make up since the club currently ranks in 15th and last place in the conference with only 18 points (5W-14L-3D).

Date Time (ET) Home/Away Opponent
Aug. 20 7:30 p.m. Home Charlotte FC
Aug. 26 7:30 p.m. Away NY Red Bulls
Aug. 30 7:30 p.m. Home Nashville SC
Sept. 3 10:30 p.m. Away LAFC
Sept. 9 7:30 p.m. Home Sporting KC
Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. Away Atlanta United
Sept. 20 7:30 p.m. Home Toronto FC
Sept. 24 7:30 p.m. Away Orlando City
Sept. 30 7:30 p.m. Home NYCFC
Oct. 4 8:30 p.m. Away Chicago Fire
Oct. 7 7:30 p.m. Home FC Cincinnati
Oct. 21 6 p.m. Away Charlotte FC

MORE: Inter Miami can still make MLS playoffs with Lionel Messi

U.S. Open Cup

Inter Miami reached the semifinal of the competition before Messi and friends joined. This will be a realistic chance for the side to win the oldest soccer trophy in the USA.

Date Time (ET) Home/Away Opponent Round
Aug. 23 7 p.m. Away FC Cincinnati Semifinal
Sept. 27 TBD TBD TBD Final

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.