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regular-article-logo Saturday, 05 October 2024

Lionel Messi’s MLS regular-season debut delayed, likely until August 26

Inter Miami will face Charlotte in the quarter finals on Friday at DRV PNK Stadium

AP/PTI Miami Published 11.08.23, 09:16 AM
Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi. File picture

MLS fans will have to wait a little longer for Lionel Messi's first regular-season match with Inter Miami.

Miami's August 20 match against Charlotte FC would have been Messi's first in MLS play, but it was postponed to an unspecified date after both clubs advanced to the Leagues Cup quarter finals.

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Inter Miami will face Charlotte in the quarter finals on Friday at DRV PNK Stadium. One of the two clubs will play in either the final or third-place match on August 19.

Messi's first MLS match now is expected to be Saturday, August 26, at the New York Red Bulls.

Messi will also compete in the US Open Cup on August 23 when Miami visit MLS leaders FC Cincinnati for a semi-final match.

Messi scored on another free kick in last week's round-of-16 elimination game against Dallas. The tying goal led to a victory on penalty kicks and gave Messi his third consecutive two-goal game for Inter Miami.

The World Cup champion's goal in the 85th minute was reminiscent of the game-winner in his Inter Miami debut. Both were on free kicks from just outside the penalty box in the waning moments, each sneaking past the goalkeeper into the upper corner.

Messi has scored in all four matches for Inter Miami, with seven goals total. Miam have now won four matches on the trot, all in the Leagues Cup, — after going winless in nine consecutive MLS matches before the 36-year-old arrived.

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