Will Lionel Messi play tonight for Inter Miami vs Universitario in friendly clash?

The Herons will play their second pre-season friendly game tonight.

Inter Miami had an incredible regular season in 2024, earning the Supporters’ Shield with the best record in the league and setting an MLS points milestone of 74.

But that was soon forgotten when this squad, which was full of seasoned players, lost two games to one in their playoff series against Atlanta United in the first round which ended their hopes of winning the MLS Cup.

Since overcoming Universitario 4-0 in Fort Lauderdale in January 2022, the Herons have not triumphed in an exhibition matchup with a South American team and they hope to change that when they face Universitario once again.

Javier Mascherano, the former Argentina youth manager, will have to make a difference in the new season given his resume as a player with four LaLiga titles under his belt. Now his managerial credential will be put to the test as Herons’ boss.

As the 40-year-old tries to secure his first title as a coach, Mascherano will encounter many familiar names in Fort Lauderdale, including Messi, the captain of Inter Miami.

Will Lionel Messi play tonight?

Lionel Messi has travelled with the squad and looks set to participate in tonight’s match as Inter Miami gets ready for the new season.

In their match against Club America, Santiago Morales scored the game-winning penalty kick after Rios Novo stopped two penalties and Messi and Tomas Aviles scored goals.

The Argentine scored his first goal of the year and is hoping to keep up his scoring run in tonight’s friendly game. Despite injury setbacks last season Messi managed to score 20 goals last season and was tied with his teammate Luis Suarez as third top scorer in the regular season.

However, this term the Argentine will hope to avoid any injury issues as he aims to lead Inter Miami to the MLS Cup after spearheading them to the Supporters’ Shield last term.

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