Lionel Messi unlikley to play in Inter Miami's match against Sporting KC in CONCACAF: Report

The game is set to be played in the cold temperature.

According to reports, Lionel Messi ‘might skip’ Inter Miami’s forthcoming match against Sporting Kansas City.

With temperatures as low as -15°C (5°F), the CONCACAF Champions Cup match is scheduled for Tuesday night and is predicted to be played in bitterly cold circumstances.

To make matters worse, wind chill could cause the temperature to drop to an absurd -24°C (-12°F). Journalist Franco Panizo claims that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t really excited about the prospect of competing under these circumstances.

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He still has a shot to be in the starting lineup, though. According to reports, Inter Miami have considered shifting the game to a warmer location or postponing it.

The previous mark for the coldest match in MLS history might be broken if the game proceeds as scheduled. The current record is -7°C (18°F) from a matchup between the Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids in 2019.

It’s hardly ideal to play in that kind of weather, let alone for the people who sit there. It seems like a scenario where you wouldn’t want to jeopardize Messi’s health, especially when there is a significant likelihood of snow. However, all preliminary signs suggest that the game will most likely take place.

Messi’s 75-minute performance in a preseason match against Orlando City on Friday, four days prior to the CONCACAF match, raises a second concern about his rest as the forward has played in every pre-season match and will need to take some break to recover for the new season.

2025 Preseason ✅ Focus is on the next challenge: @TheChampions 👊 pic.twitter.com/sGpFWVG5MV

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 15, 2025

Lastly, it’s unclear if Miami needs Messi to play in this game if the brief rest isn’t enough. In the two previous meetings between these teams, Inter Miami prevailed even though Messi was not there.

The Herons did not suffer any defeats in every pre-season game and after the CONCACAF match, they will commence their new season, facing New York City in the game of the new campaign.

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