Copa America 2024 will be here before we know it this summer, and that means Inter Miami will have to make do without superstar Lionel Messi.
Messi has been in full force in 2024 outside of a hamstring injury that saw him miss a handful of games back in March and early April. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has logged seven goals and six assists in just six appearances in MLS action, just one goal behind the Golden Boot leader Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango.
The Argentine’s brilliant play has cemented the Herons atop the Eastern Conference standings with 18 points from 10 games played, but they’ll face a tough challenge in keeping the number one spot in the division when Messi and Luis Suarez depart for Copa America.
Here’s the games that Miami‘s No. 10 could miss during the summer as he looks to guide Argentina to a second-straight Copa America title in what might be his last major international tournament.
Messi and his Argentine pals will more than likely receive their call-ups to the national team roughly one week before their first tune-up friendly against Ecuador on June 9. Should Messi steer clear of injuries form now until then, he’ll without a doubt be included in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the competition.
Argentina will also take on Guatemala in their second tune-up friendly on June 14.
Just one day before Argentina kick things off in Copa America, the Herons will square off against defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew on June 19 at Chase Stadium. Even without the game’s best-ever player, it should still be an intriguing contest between two of the most entertaining teams in Major League Soccer.
Meanwhile, Messi will look to propel the Herons to victory over Canada in Argentina’s first group stage contest against Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 20.
Argentina will aim to just about qualify for the knockout stage when they take on Chile on June 25 at MetLife Stadium, and will round out their group stage campaign against Peru on June 29 at Hard Rock Stadium — ironically, that game is taking place in Miami. Depending on if they finish in first or second place out of Group A, Argentina will take on one of Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador and Venezuela in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Miami will renew their rivalry once more with…
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