Lionel Messi left his native Argentina on Saturday to travel back to Florida as he is set to report for preseason training with his club Inter Miami on Monday, January 8.
Ahead of the new 2024 season, Messi is scheduled to undergo routine medical tests before taking part in a series of six friendlies, including a mouthwatering match against Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and against his boyhood team, Newell’s Old Boys, in Fort Lauderdale.
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The 36-year-old spent the Christmas holidays with his family in his hometown of Rosario, but they have all flown back to the United States. It promises to be an intense year ahead for Messi, both in the domestic league and with the Albiceleste national team, and he will be eager to be in optimum condition.
Messi last played for Argentina on November 21 in the 1-0 victory in Brazil, helping them secure an important win over their rivals in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So it is fair to say he requires some time to regain his match fitness.
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With the Argentina national team, Messi will continue to participate in the qualifiers for the North American-based tournament in 2026, but in the summer he will also play the Copa America in the USA.
And with Inter Miami, he can now prepare for his first full season, which starts at the end of February, as well as the CONCACAF Champions League.
After a friendly against El Salvador on January 19, they will head to Asia to play against Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, in addition to Hong Kong and J-League team Vissel Kobe. Then they will finish their preseason with a friendly against Newell‘s.
In MLS, they will play at home against Real Salt Lake on February 21. The end of season game to decide the winner of the tournament, better known as MLS Cup, is scheduled for December 7.
The Leagues Cup, where all 29 MLS and 18 Liga MX teams face each other, begins on July 26 and concludes on August 25.
And in the Concachampions, Messi will make his debut in the round of 16, against the winner of the tie between Nashville and Dominican Republic outfit Moca. The final will be played on June 2.
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