Messi Leads Inter Miami in Preseason Tour Across Latin America

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF continue their preseason tour across Latin America, with their next match scheduled against Sporting San Miguelito on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Panama City, marking Messi’s third preseason appearance with the MLS club.

Inter Miami, under the guidance of new coach Javier Mascherano, is using the tour to prepare for a demanding 2025 season. The team will compete in multiple tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Messi has already made an impact, scoring one goal in two preseason games. Despite being held scoreless in their last match against Club Universitario de Deportes, Inter Miami secured victories in both games via penalty shootouts.

“Leo is doing very well, according to what we had been planning,” Mascherano said during a press conference. “The idea is to give everyone as many minutes as possible.” Messi is expected to play extended minutes in the upcoming match, following his 60-minute appearance against Club América and over 70 minutes in Peru.

Inter Miami’s preseason schedule includes a mix of international and domestic matches. After facing Sporting San Miguelito, the team will travel to Honduras to play Club Olimpia Deportivo on Feb. 8. Their final preseason game will be against MLS rival Orlando City on Feb. 14 in Tampa, Florida.

The 2025 MLS season kicks off for Inter Miami on Feb. 22, when they host New York City FC. However, the club will first compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup, facing Sporting Kansas City on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25.

Mascherano emphasized the value of facing strong opponents during the preseason. “We have played against two champions – against a three-time champion (Club América) and against a two-time champion (Universitario) of leagues that are important,” he said. “That for us has been a very, very good test.”