Lionel Messi’s next game for Inter Miami confirmed; to face Orlando City in Leagues Cup

The Argentine has enjoyed a brilliant start to life in America

Lionel Messi will be seen in action next on 2nd August when Inter Miami will face off against fellow Florida soccer team Orlando City SC in what will be the 32nd round of the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Orlando City made it to the knockout stages as group winners after a hard fought 3-2 victory over Santos Laguna, with Wilder Cartagena's stoppage-time strike winning Orlando the game at Exploria Stadium. Under the management of Columbian manager Óscar Pareja, Orlando City finished two points in front of Houston Dynamo to top Group South 2.

On the other hand, Inter Miami qualified as the toppers of Group South 3 earlier in a game which marked Messi’s first start for Miami. They displayed an impressive performance in the round-robin stage, notably with Lionel Messi making a sensational impact. In his first start for the team, Messi racked two goals and bagged an assist in what was a dominating victory against Atalanta United.

The match marked a memorable debut for Messi and saw his former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets assisting one of Messi’s goals in what was his first start for Miami as well.

The highly anticipated Florida derby will be taking place in Fort Lauderdale in Inter Miami’s home ground of DRV PNK stadium. The winner of this match will advance to the round of 16 and face either Mazatlán or FC Dallas in the next stage of the competition.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are expected to start the game, Messi’s arrival in Florida has not only brought about a change in Inter Miami’s fortune, he has changed how football is viewed in the whole country. In his 2 appearances and 1 start for Inter Miami, he has scored 3 goals and 2 assists. Before his arrival, Miami were on an eleven game winless streak, now they’ve won 2 games on the trot.