Hopes are high for Inter Miami as Lionel Messi prepares for his first full season in Major League Soccer.
Messi had a transformative impact when he joined the Florida franchise from Paris Saint-Germain in July last year and inspired their journey to League Cup glory.
However, Miami was already too far gone to make an impression in league play, ultimately missing out on postseason play despite former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino arriving around the same time as his counterpart Rosarian.
Martino won the MLS Cup with Atlanta United in 2018, and Messi’s reunion with another old ally – former Barca veteran and Liverpool forward Luis Suarez – adds another interesting storyline for the upcoming season.
When does the 2024 MLS season start?
The pre-season program for MLS teams began on January 19 and runs until February 17, including a friendly between Messi’s Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia on February 1.
The Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Orlando City, FC Cincinnati, Houston Dynamo and St Louis City (the last two against each other) will square off in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday before the opening game of the MLS regular season on February 21.
Somewhat inevitably, Messi will take center stage on kick-off night when Inter Miami hosts Real Salt Lake at the DRV PNK Stadium.
It’s the earliest start in league history and will be followed by the 14-game MLS Is Back weekend on February 24 and 25.
