A busy week for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami concludes when the club plays its final preseason game on Friday night.
Inter Miami will face its in-state MLS rival Orlando City at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The match will be the fifth and final preseason match for Inter Miami this year.
Messi attended Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans last Sunday, debuting a new ad with Apple and MLS Season Pass after the game. Inter Miami’s newest home jersey is available worldwide and Messi’s drink has become the new hydration partner for Inter Miami this week.
Messi may have a light day at the office on Friday night with two games next week: Inter Miami begins its first-round matchup in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday against Sporting Kansas City, then begins the 2025 MLS season on Feb. 22 at home against New York City FC.
Here’s everything you need to know about Friday’s Inter Miami-Orlando City match, and stay tuned for live updates from USA TODAY Sports:
Tadeo Allende goal: Inter Miami 1, Orlando City 1
Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende scored in the 22nd minute on an assist from Luis Suarez to help tie the match early in the first half.
The goal is the second this preseason for Allende, the Argentine national in his first season with Inter Miami.
Martín Ojeda goal: Orlando City 1, Inter Miami 0
One No. 10 is on the board in Tampa, but it’s not Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.
Orlando City’s Martín Ojeda scored in the 15th minute to give his side the early 1-0 lead over Messi, Inter Miami.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Orlando City preseason game?
The match is available to live stream for free on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
How has Messi, Inter Miami fared this preseason?
Messi has scored two goals in four Inter Miami preseason games – all victories for the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions.
Messi scored a goal and had two assists in 62 minutes as Inter Miami beat Honduran giants Club Olimpia Deportivo 5-0 last Saturday in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Messi scored a header and played 66 minutes in the preseason opener against Mexican champions Club America in Las Vegas on Jan. 18. He played 72 minutes against Universitario in Peru on Jan. 29. Inter Miami won both games on penalty kicks.
Messi was also the catalyst behind two goals while playing 76 minutes in a 3-1 win against San Miguelito in Panama City last Sunday.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule
Here are the next three games Messi and Inter Miami will play:
Feb. 18: Sporting Kansas City vs. Inter Miami, Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, 8 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
Feb. 22: Inter Miami vs. New York City FC, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 2:30 p.m. (MLS regular season opener)
Feb. 25: Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City, Chase Stadium, 8 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
