Lionel Messi will have an eventful year with a packed schedule in 2024 both for Inter Miami and Argentina. While the MLS side will take part in multiple competitions, La Albiceleste also face plenty of commitments with World Cup Qualifiers, Copa America, and Olympic Games.
One of the biggest questions is whether Messi will play in Paris 2024, as it could be his last chance to pursue a second Olympic gold medal with his country. But right now, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino expects Messi to be gone only for the international friendlies in March and the Copa America in June.
“We know that in March and in June we have to replace him,” Martino told Infobae. “The problem is that we don’t have freedom to hire, so we have to adjust the squad to have players that allow us to have offensive aspirations when he’s not playing. Finding alternatives to that is not easy.”
Martino has already warned Paraguayan sensation Diego Gómez will not be allowed to participate in both the Copa America and the Olympics, his country will have to choose one or the other.
“Diego Gómez has the Copa América and the Olympic Games. We know we have to give him up for the Copa, but not for the Games. We’ve communicated; I have many friends there (Martino was the coach of the Paraguayan national team between 2007 and 2011) and I told them to choose just one,” Martino said. “I am pro-national team, but in this case, there are two competitions happening simultaneously, which means a player will be out for more than two months. So they will inform me which tournament they want him for.”
Players may have to choose between Copa America, Olympics
The Copa America will take place from June 20 to July 14, while the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held between July 26 and August 11. That makes it nearly impossible for a player to participate in both competitions.
On the one hand, it means too much workload in a short span. On the other hand, if a player does get permission for both events, it could see him miss nearly two months of action with his club.
It’s safe to say Inter Miami cannot afford to miss Messi for so many games, as the Argentine superstar plays a pivotal role in their aspirations this year. But of course, it will probably come down to what Leo wants to do.
In the event Messi decides and gets authorization to play in both the Copa America and Summer Olympics, he could miss up to nine MLS season games. But we’ll have to wait and see.
Inter Miami’s first matches in 2024
- Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake | MLS Matchday 1 | Wednesday, 02/21, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time | DRV PNK Stadium
- LA Galaxy vs. Inter Miami | MLS Matchday 2 | Sunday, 02/25, at 8:30 PM Eastern Time | Dignity Health Sports Park
- Inter Miami vs. Orlando City | MLS Matchday 3 | Saturday, 03/02, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time | DRV PNK Stadium
- Moca or Nashville vs. Inter Miami | Concacaf CL Round of 16 (1st leg) | Thursday, 03/07, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time | Stadium to be determined
- Inter Miami vs. Montréal Impact | MLS Matchday 4 | Sunday, 03/10, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time | DRV PNK Stadium
- Inter Miami vs. Moca or Nashville | Concacaf CL Round of 16 (2nd leg) | Wednesday, 03/13, at 7:15 PM Eastern Time | DRV PNK Stadium
- DC United vs. Inter Miami | MLS Matchday 5 | Saturday, 03/16, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time | Audi Field
- NY RB vs. Inter Miami | MLS Matchday 6 | Saturday, 03/23, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time | Red Bull Arena
- Inter Miami vs. NYC FC | MLS Matchday 7 | Saturday, 03/30, at 6:30 PM Eastern Time | DRV PNK Stadium