First, the Herons will play the El Salvador men’s national team on January 19 before then playing FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl just three days later.

That leads into a huge tour of Asia, where the Herons play two matches in Saudi Arabia against Al-Hilal on January 29 and then a matchup against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr on February 1.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were seen training together with Inter Miami on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were seen training together with Inter Miami on Saturday

Inter Miami’s Barcelona quartet: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba

It’s the first time Suarez has trained with his friend Messi since they played at Barcelona.

Lionel Messi may be asked to play all 12 months of the year from friendlies to MLS Cup Finals.

We’re back 👋🏠 pic.twitter.com/qVSc22fyWP

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 13, 2024

From there, Inter Miami plays the Hong Kong national team on February 4 before jumping to Japan to play Vissel Kobe.

Finally, after that long road trip, they will play Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in Miami.

That match comes on February 15 – just six days before the MLS season opener at home against Real Salt Lake.

Of course, there will be plenty of matches in league play but there will also be the matter of the Leagues Cup, the US Open Cup, and – if they make them – MLS Cup Playoffs.

On top of all of that, the Copa America will see Messi miss significant time between June and July.

Even if Argentina is shockingly dumped out of the group stages, Messi will at least miss matches against the Columbus Crew and Nashville SC. He’d also likely miss a road game against the Philadelphia Union as it comes five days before his first Copa America game.

If Argentina make the finals of the Copa America – as they have for three of the last four tournaments – he’ll also miss games on the road against Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati. After all that football, Messi will likely want a brief break – meaning he could be gone for a home match against Toronto FC three days after the tournament ends.

In sum, barring an injury, Lionel Messi will likely be asked to play football in every month of the year if Inter Miami makes a run to the MLS Cup Finals. It’s a huge ask for anyone, let alone a forward who turns 37 this year.

.