Historic Return to Buenos Aires
Lionel Messi is heading back home for a special fixture. Inter Miami will travel to Buenos Aires to play River Plate in a friendly match on Jan. 19 at the Estadio Monumental.
This game will mark the first time Messi plays a club match in his home country of Argentina. He previously featured at El Monumental 29 times for his national team. His last appearance there came on Oct. 6 in his final game for Argentina. That match ended a 21 year international career that included 126 goals, two Copa America titles, and one World Cup trophy.
Past Matches Against Argentine Clubs
Messi has played against clubs from Argentina four times in his career. With Barcelona, he defeated Estudiantes at the 2009 Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. He also helped Barcelona defeat River Plate at the 2015 Club World Cup in Japan.
His other games against Argentine teams include Barcelona's win over Boca Juniors for the Joan Gamper trophy in 2018. In 2024, Inter Miami played out a 1-1 draw against his boyhood club, Newell's, in Miami. Their upcoming opponents, River Plate, are one of the most successful teams in South America with 38 domestic titles and four Copa Libertadores trophies.
Strong Squad and MLS Records
Inter Miami expect a full squad for the trip to Buenos Aires. Teammates including Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Thiago Almada are expected to join Messi. Inter Miami have previously visited Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Puerto Rico for preseason tours.
Messi enters the match after another strong domestic campaign. He was recently named a finalist for the 2026 Major League Soccer MVP award. If he wins, he will be the first player to capture the award three times in a row. He already secured a second straight Golden Boot after scoring 26 goals in the 2026 regular season.
Inter Miami will open their 2027 MLS season on Feb. 19 against FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium.
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