Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are making solid progress in the 2024 MLS campaign but still have work to do if they are to meet the lofty expectations set for them this season.
The Herons are top of the Eastern Conference and won the Supporters' Shield — the prize given to the regular-season champion — but their attention is already turning towards the playoffs.
Messi was a huge part of the club's early success, scoring key goals in important results. However, after suffering an ankle injury in the Copa America final, Messi was sidelined for nearly two months, forcing the club to soldier on without him.
He has since returned, but his fitness will be closely watched with the playoffs closing in.
With so many injury issues surrounding Messi's on-field performances, The Sporting News takes a look at whether Messi will play in Inter Miami's upcoming match.
MORE: See Inter Miami's full 2024 schedule here
Is Lionel Messi playing today? Next Inter Miami match vs. Toronto
Messi is expected to play against Toronto on October 5, with coach Tata Martino having said he wants to ensure the player maintains his match rhythm between now and the MLS playoffs.
After missing for nearly two months in the wake of his ankle injury in the Copa America final, Lionel Messi finally returned to Inter Miami with a starting spot against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, September 14.
He returned with a bang, scoring two goals and assisting a third in the 3-1 victory at home.
With the Argentine now back to full fitness, Martino said the club will not hold him back by restricting his minutes — a debatable strategy given his recent injury history and importance of the fast-approaching playoffs.
Messi scored twice to help his side defeat Columbus Crew and claim the Supporters' Shield, yet Martino intends to keep him involved despite their regular season now effectively at an end.
Inter Miami full MLS fixture list for 2024 season
Inter Miami kicked off the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake on February 21, 2024. Their regular-season campaign will conclude on Decision Day on October 19, when they face New England Revolution.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
| Weds, Feb. 21 | vs. Real Salt Lake | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 2-0 |
| Sun, Feb. 25 | at LA Galaxy | Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA) | D 1-1 |
| Sat, March 2 | vs. Orlando City | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 5-0 |
| Fri, March 8 | at Nashville SC | Geodis Park (Nashville, TN) | D 2-2 |
| Sun, March 10 | vs. Montreal | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | L 3-2* |
| Sat, March 16 | at D.C. United | Audi Field (Washington, DC) | W 3-1* |
| Sat, March 23 | at NY Red Bulls | Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ) | L 4-0* |
| Sat, March 30 | vs. NYCFC | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | D 1-1* |
| Sat, April 6 | vs. Colorado Rapids | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | D 2-2 |
| Sat, April 13 | at Sporting KC | Children's Mercy Park (Kansas City, KS) | W 3-2 |
| Sat, April 20 | vs. Nashville SC | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 3-1 |
| Sat, April 27 | at New England Revolution | Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA) | W 4-1 |
| Sat, May 4 | vs. NY Red Bulls | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 6-2 |
| Sat, May 11 | at CF Montreal | Stade Saputo (Montreal, Canada) | W 3-2 |
| Wed, May 15 | at Orlando City | Exploria Stadium (Orlando, FL) | D 0-0* |
| Sat, May 18 | vs. D.C. United | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 1-0 |
| Sat, May 25 | at Vancouver Whitecaps | BC Place (Vancouver, Canada) | W 2-1* |
| Wed, May 29 | vs. Atlanta United | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | L 3-1 |
| Sat, June 1 | vs. St. Louis City | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | D 3-3 |
| Sat, June 15 | at Philadelphia Union | Subaru Park (Chester, PA) | W 2-1* |
| Wed, June 19 | vs. Columbus Crew | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 2-1* |
| Sat, June 29 | at Nashville SC | GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN) | W 2-1* |
| Wed, July 3 | at Charlotte FC | Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC) | W 2-1* |
| Sat, July 6 | at FC Cincinnati | TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH) | W 6-1* |
| Wed, July 17 | vs. Toronto | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 3-1* |
| Sat, July 20 | vs. Chicago Fire | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 2-1* |
| Sat, Aug. 24 | vs. FC Cincinnati | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 2-0* |
| Sat, Aug. 31 | at Chicago Fire | Soldier Field (Chicago, IL) | W 4-1* |
| Sat, Sep. 14 | vs. Philadelphia Union | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | W 3-1 |
| Wed, Sep. 18 | at Atlanta United | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) | D 2-2 |
| Sat, Sep. 21 | at NYCFC | Yankee Stadium (New York City, NY) | D 1-1 |
| Sat, Sep. 28 | vs. Charlotte FC | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) | D 1-1 |
| Wed, Oct. 2 | at Columbus Crew | Lower.com Field (Columbus, OH) | W 3-2 |
| Sat, Oct. 5 | at Toronto FC | BMO Field (Toronto, Canada) | |
| Sat, Oct. 19 | vs. New England Revolution | Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
Inter Miami schedule for Leagues Cup
The 2024 Leagues Cup began on July 26, running for a month while the MLS season pauses play.
Lionel Messi did not participate in any of Inter Miami's matches in the competition, as he was sidelined with an injury suffered in the Copa America final.
In his absence, the Herons were unable to defend their 2023 title, reaching the Round of 16 where they were eliminated by defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Score |
| Group Stage | Sat, Jul. 27 | Puebla | W 2-0 |
| Group Stage | Sat, Aug. 3 | Tigres | L 2-1 |
| Round of 32 | Aug. 8 | Toronto FC | W 4-3 |
| Round of 16 | Aug. 13 | Columbus Crew | L 3-2 |
Inter Miami schedule for CONCACAF Champions Cup
The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, North and Central America's continental club competition, began on February 6. Inter Miami secured a bye through to the Round of 16 via their qualification as Leagues Cup champions.
Thus, Inter Miami's first CCC matchup came against fellow MLS side Nashville SC, who they advanced past via a 5-3 aggregate score, drawing Liga MX giants Monterrey in the quarterfinals. They were beaten 5-2 on aggregate.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Score |
| Round of 16 — 1st Leg | Thu, Mar. 7 | Nashville SC | Nashville 2-2 Inter Miami |
| Round of 16 — 2nd Leg | Wed, Mar. 13 | Nashville SC | Inter Miami 3 (5) - (3) 1 Nashville |
| Quarterfinals — 1st Leg | Wed, Apr. 3 | Monterrey | Inter Miami 1-2 Monterrey |
| Quarterfinals — 2nd Leg | Wed, Apr. 10 | Monterrey | Monterrey 3-1 Inter Miami |
