This also means that Messi will still play for Inter Miami Club in only 3 upcoming matches in the MLS tournament, including matches against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (away, 9:30 a.m. on May 26); against Atlanta United (6:30 a.m. on May 30) and the match against St. Louis City SC (6:30 a.m. June 2) are all at home, Vietnam time.
After the match between Inter Miami and St. Louis City SC, Messi will come to gather with the Argentina team. This is the 36-year-old player’s return to the team in 2024, after being absent from the competition in March due to injury. However, this competition will last more than 1 month, because immediately after the FIFA Days tournament in June, the Copa America 2024 will take place in the United States from June 20 to July 14.
“Messi and his teammates on the Argentina team will focus on preparing to play two friendly matches, including against Ecuador on June 10 and Guatemala on June 15 (Vietnam time). After June 15, Coach Scaloni will close the remaining list. 26 players officially participate in the Copa America. Therefore, this is a very busy period and all summoned players must be present,” said journalist Gaston Edul on May 23.
According to Coach Scaloni of the Argentina team: “The two friendly matches before the Copa America are very important, and especially when you are adjusting the final details for the opening match. The players are about to go through another one. Another long tournament ahead, most of them played many matches in the season that just ended. It’s time to work together. These are two matches that will help the team find readiness for the Copa tournament America”.
At the Copa America, Argentina is the defending champion in Group A along with Canada, Chile and Peru. They will open their championship defense campaign with a match against the Canadian team at 7:00 a.m. on June 21. Next is the match against Chile at 8:00 a.m. on June 26 and the final group stage match against Peru at 7:00 a.m. on June 30 (both Vietnam time).
In case the Argentine team reaches the quarterfinals or further reaches the Copa America final (taking place at 7:00 a.m. on July 15, Vietnam time), Messi will be absent from 3 to 6 matches when Inter Club Miami still competes in the MLS tournament on this occasion.
In addition to Messi, Inter Miami may also be without goalkeeper Drake Callender (focusing on the US team), midfielder Diego Gomez (Paraguay team) and possibly veteran striker Luis Suarez, if he is chosen by coach Marcelo Bielsa. included in the official squad of the Uruguay team for the Copa America.
Also according to journalist Gaston Edul: “Messi only attends the Copa America. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, this famous player confirmed that he will definitely not participate. Instead, the players include striker Julian Alvarez, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Central defender Nicolas Otamendi will be three players over 23 years old to appear on the Argentine Olympic team.
Paris 2024 Olympic men’s soccer takes place from July 24 to August 10 right after the Copa America tournament, so if Messi still participates, he will be absent for more than 2 months at Inter Miami. That’s impossible, and Messi himself doesn’t want it. Messi is aiming to return to play for Inter Miami at the end of July in the Leagues Cup.