MLS announced on Wednesday that Lionel Messi will kick-off his first full Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign with Inter Miami on Feb. 21, 2024 at home with with a match against Real Salt Lake. Messi joined Inter Miami in July after signing a two-and-a-half year contract.

The MLS 2024 matches were announced along with the full schedule for the regular season, which ends on Oct. 19 followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs and culminating in the MLS Cup on Dec. 7. Among their 34 regular season games, Inter Miami will also visit Orlando City SC on May 15 during MLS Rivalry Week. Miami’s final regular season game is Oct. 19 at New England Revolution.

Messi is a World Cup champion and record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as best player in the world; he had 11 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for the MLS side while leading the club to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final.

The 2024 Leagues Cup will be played from July 26 to Aug. 25. MLS regular season matches are not planned in that window. The tournament will begin two days after the MLS All-Star Game, to be played July 24 in Columbus.

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