Reports had suggested that Messi could miss Inter Miami’s MLS season opener against LAFC, but the former Barcelona superstar has travelled with the squad
Leo Messi is now expected to feature in Inter Miami’s MLS season opener on the road at LAFC after being pictured travelling with the squad. There had been serious doubts over his availability for the high-profile curtain raiser after the club cancelled a friendly match last week.
However, after returning to training earlier this week, Messi is now officially LA bound, along with the rest of his teammates. The news will come as a huge boost to Miami and the league, especially at the start of such an important season for soccer in the USA.
Inter Miami share the news in a low-key manner, posting pictures of Messi boarding the team’s flight on social media. The post in question was simply captioned: “LA first” in reference to the opening game of the season.
Messi returned to training this week
Miami and Messi had been due to play a friendly match against Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico on 13 February, but the game was postponed two days prior due to the Argentine forward picking up a hamstring injury. After remaining silent on the issue for almost a week, Miami then released images of Messi returning to training on Wednesday, February 18.
These images were a source of much encouragement for fans hoping to see Messi in Los Angeles at the weekend. Especially so as the World Cup winner appeared to be taking a full part in training and not merely doing individual work.
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LA first. ✈️🩷🖤 pic.twitter.com/bYKH4fPJDs
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 19, 2026
Leo Messi ready to face Son in MLS season opener
That news combined with the sight of Messi travelling to LA means that he should be ready to face MLS record signing Son Heung-min on Saturday. The Korean striker is averaging almost a goal every game since joining LAFC.
This will be the first time the two face off in an MLS game, although they have met twice in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2018/19. Back, then Messi got the upper hand with Barcelona beating Spurs 2-4 in London and drawing 0-0 at the Camp Nou.
The anticipation of two of the league’s biggest stars facing off in a season opener means the game has been picked for a West Coast prime time slot, kicking off at 18:30 PT / 21:30 ET in the United States (03:30 CET, Sunday, February 22).
