Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC: Live Updates for Miami's Season Finale

Lionel Messi will play in Inter Miami's final MLS game of the season against Charlotte FC. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV.

Lionel Messi's arrival in America has not surprised Mia Hamm, who understands the impact the world's greatest soccer player has made in the country. Messi is set to play in Inter Miami's final game of the MLS season against Charlotte FC. However, the extent of his participation and the reasons behind his decision to play remain uncertain. Messi has recovered from a right leg injury that affected him throughout September, causing him to miss several matches. Inter Miami has already been eliminated from the MLS postseason, making this Messi's last game for the club in his first year. Despite the inconsequential nature of the match, fans in Charlotte could witness the presence of the 2022 World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner on the field. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

The question of whether Messi will start or come off the bench remains unanswered, but he will be available for selection in Inter Miami's lineup. After scoring two goals in Argentina's victory over Peru in a World Cup qualifying match, Messi expressed his intention to play in the upcoming game. He trained with his Inter Miami teammates on Friday, and assistant coach Javi Morales confirmed that Messi is in good condition and eager to play. The decision to play on artificial turf is significant for Messi, as it will be his first experience on such a surface in the MLS. However, during his press conference in August, Messi indicated that he had played on turf before and had no issue adapting to it. Despite MLS commissioner Don Garber's hope for teams to use grass surfaces on top of turf, Charlotte FC has stated that all their matches will be played on turf, including the one featuring Messi.

Messi's recent performance against Peru suggests that he is close to full fitness. He scored two goals and played the entire match, showcasing his sharpness and form. This was a significant improvement compared to his previous appearances, where he struggled to find his rhythm. In Inter Miami's match against FC Cincinnati, Messi failed to register a shot on goal, and the team suffered a 1-0 defeat. Messi's plans for the offseason were also revealed, with no mention of participating in Inter Miami's international friendlies against Chinese super teams in November. He expressed his desire to train and play in the remaining matches for Argentina, followed by a holiday in Argentina, and then returning for preseason preparations in January.

Inter Miami plans to capitalize on Messi's global brand by playing two friendlies in China. These matches aim to enhance the club's international reputation while showcasing Messi's talent to a wider audience. The first match will be against Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in Qingdao, China, followed by a game against Chengdu Rongcheng in Chengdu, China. After these friendlies, Messi is expected to rejoin the Argentine national team for matches against Uruguay and Brazil in November.