Sat Jul 05 02:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Messi Expected to Play as Inter Miami Resumes MLS Season**

**FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -** Fresh off their FIFA Club World Cup appearance, Inter Miami is gearing up to resume their MLS campaign, and fans will be thrilled to hear that Lionel Messi is expected to be available for their match against CF Montreal on July 5th.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on July 4th that Messi will travel with the team and is likely to feature in the game. The announcement comes after the team’s brief break following their Club World Cup exit against Paris Saint-Germain. Players who logged significant minutes during the tournament were granted two days of rest to recover.

While it remains unclear whether Messi will start the match or come off the bench, Mascherano hinted at a rotation strategy to manage player fatigue amidst a demanding schedule. Inter Miami faces seven games in the next 25 days, including four away matches, leading up to the Leagues Cup tournament on July 30th.

Despite their Round of 16 loss to PSG, Mascherano believes the Club World Cup experience has boosted the team’s confidence, proving they can compete against top-tier opponents. This newfound confidence will be crucial as they aim to defend their Leagues Cup title and pursue the MLS Cup.

“In a competition such as the Club World Cup, we were one of the weakest teams, and that was the reality. We had a great group stage. Then, unfortunately, we were drawn against the best team – let’s say, the most powerful team you can find today, not only in European soccer, but in world soccer. But clearly, if we were able to compete at that level, there is no excuse for not being able to compete in our domestic league,” Mascherano said.

Inter Miami currently sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, having played fewer games than most teams due to their Club World Cup participation. Their opponent, CF Montreal, is struggling at the bottom of the conference table.

The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available for live streaming on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

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