Inter Miami Confirms Messi Will Play in Montreal MLS Clash

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said Friday that Lionel Messi is expected to travel to Canada and be available for the club’s Major League Soccer match against CF Montréal on Saturday at Stade Saputo. The confirmation ends speculation that the 38-year-old forward might be rested following the team’s recent schedule.

Messi, the reigning MLS MVP, has registered 10 goals and six assists in 13 league appearances this season. Inter Miami returns to domestic play after a six-day break that followed its 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on June 29.

The Florida side sits seventh in the Eastern Conference with 29 points from a 8-3-5 record, but it has played fewer matches than most rivals. Saturday’s game opens a stretch of seven fixtures in 25 days, including the start of the Leagues Cup later in July. CF Montréal, last in the conference with 14 points, has won only once in nine home games this year.

When the clubs last met, Messi scored twice and provided an assist in Miami’s 4-2 victory. Mascherano indicated he will rotate his squad to manage minutes during the congested run, but said that after a long week of recovery “Leo is available.” The final lineup will be announced an hour before the 7:30 p.m. Eastern kickoff.