Lionel Messi returns to the Windy City on Sunday afternoon, but how much will he play — if he does suit up?
Messi has been announced as a starter for Inter Miami against the Chicago Fire inside Soldier Field at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Messi is healthy and fit, and made the trip to Chicago with the club Saturday. He has played every minute in Inter Miami’s last three matches — including scoring two goals and an assist to help them beat LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal last Wednesday. More importantly, Messi has six days until Inter Miami’s next match in Cleveland against the Columbus Crew next Saturday.
So, the Chicago match is a perfect opportunity for Messi to get some work in and maintain his fitness as Inter Miami will play four more matches to end the month of April.
Messi free kick off the crossbar: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi struck a free kick off the crossbar in the 64th minute of the match, one of the few Messi moments in Chicago. The opportunity was created after Messi was tripped by Chicago Fire defender Jack Elliott in the 62nd minute.
Messi fires first shot, but misses: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi fired a shot toward the net to start the fourth minute, but Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady was able to deflect it.
How to watch Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Inter Miami starting lineup: Is Messi playing?
Yes, Messi was announced as a starter in Inter Miami’s starting lineup.
When was the last time Messi had played in Chicago?
If Messi plays, it will be his first match with Inter Miami in Chicago after missing matches in the last two years due to injury.
However, it’ll be his second time in as many years playing in the city: He came off the bench during a pre-Copa America friendly in Argentina’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on June 9, 2024.
Messi was injured toward the end of his first season with Inter Miami, missing a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on Oct. 4, 2023. He was also recovering from his Copa America ankle injury, when Inter Miami beat Chicago 4-1 on Aug. 31, 2024.
Inter Miami will face Vancouver in Champions Cup semifinal
Messi and Inter Miami will play two matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps later this month in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.
Inter Miami will visit Vancouver at BC Place on April 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET for the first leg of their semifinal. Inter Miami will host Vancouver in the second leg on April 30 at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
- Saturday: Columbus vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS)
- April 24: Vancouver vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
- April 27: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 5 p.m. ET (MLS)
- April 30: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
- May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
