Will Lionel Messi be playing Inter Miami's match against CF Montreal?

Inter Miami is preparing to dive back into Major League Soccer (MLS) action following their early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup. Coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on July 4 that Lionel Messi is available and expected to travel for the upcoming July 5 clash against CF Montreal.

The match, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET, marks Inter Miami’s return to MLS play after a six-day break. While it remains unclear whether Messi will start or come off the bench, the official lineup will be released an hour before kickoff.

Lionel Messi cleared to play

Yes, why not?

Mascherano responded when asked if Messi would be making the trip to Montreal.

Luckily we had a long week, which was good for us, as we were able to give most of the players two days off, especially those who had played the most minutes.

And yes, Leo is available, he confirmed.

Inter Miami granted rest days to several players following their Round of 16 defeat to UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on June 29. That 4-0 loss ended their international run, but the experience has fueled optimism within the squad.

Busy schedule ahead for Inter Miami

The match against Montreal begins a demanding stretch for Inter Miami: seven matches in just 25 days, including four on the road. Mascherano noted that squad rotation will be key during this intense period.

The team will also return to the Leagues Cup, a tournament between MLS and LIGA MX teams starting July 30. Inter Miami were crowned champions in the 2023 edition shortly after Messi’s highly anticipated debut.

Confidence from Club World Cup campaign

Despite falling short in the Club World Cup, Mascherano believes the team’s performance, which included a win over Portugal’s FC Porto and draws with Egypt’s Al Ahly and Brazil’s Palmeiras has proven their potential.

In a competition such as the Club World Cup, we were one of the weakest teams, and that was the reality, Mascherano said. Then, unfortunately, we were drawn against the best team — not only in European soccer, but in world soccer. But clearly, if we were able to compete at that level, there is no excuse for not being able to compete in our domestic league.

Standings update

Before the Club World Cup break, Inter Miami was tied for third in the MLS Eastern Conference with 29 points. As of their return, they’ve dropped to seventh, though they’ve played only 16 matches — fewer than most teams in the league.

Montreal, meanwhile, sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 14 points, just ahead of the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy, the 2024 MLS Cup champions, who have only nine points this season.

How to Watch Inter Miami vs CF Montreal clash?

Fans can stream the match live through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.