FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez will travel with the club for Saturday’s MLS match against the Philadelphia Union, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed before Friday’s practice.
While Messi’s presence will be missed for Inter Miami’s Dreams Cup youth tournament – he spoke at the event last year after not traveling for a match in Vancouver – the club desperately needs their biggest star to help them avoid another defeat in the worse stretch of Messi’s time in MLS.
Inter Miami has won just once in their last seven matches, falling from fourth to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference. And Saturday’s match will be against the Union, who sit in first place in the East.
Inter Miami has three matches remaining in MLS play before they participate in the FIFA Club World Cup – they’ll play in the tournament opener against Egyptian side Al Alhy on June 14 in Miami.
“This comes at a time of the season when we need them with us, and yes, they will both be traveling,” Mascherano said of Messi and Suárez.
When is the Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match?
The match is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina), and will be played at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
How to watch Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match?
The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing in Philadelphia?
Messi is expected to play, but his status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.
What to know about Inter Miami before Philadelphia match?
Inter Miami will return to action for their first match in six days – a much-needed layoff for their aging superstars like Messi, Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and leftback Jordi Alba.
The former Barcelona stars spoke with the club following their last match, a 3-0 defeat at home last Sunday to in-state rival Orlando City, Inter Miami defender Ian Frey said Friday.
The club also used this week of practice to ramp up the intensity with hopes of overcoming their recent slump. They’ve lost five of their last seven matches, and been outscored 20-12 during the stretch.
“We’ve been caught at a point in the season where we’ve lost confidence and we clearly need to regain that urgently, because it’s clear to see – not only in the team’s performance but also in the individual performances,” Mascherano said.
Messi also spoke about Inter Miami’s recent slide with Apple TV after the Orlando loss.
“It’s a difficult time, but we’re going to come through this together,” Messi said. “Now we’ll really see if we’re a team in difficult times because when everything is going well, it’s very easy. But when difficult times come, like now, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a real team and get through it.”
Messi to join Argentina before Club World Cup
Messi has been called up by the defending World Cup champions for qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament. Argentina will visit Chile on June 5, and host Colombia on June 10.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
Messi, Inter Miami schedule for Club World Cup
June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Alhy, 8 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)