Will Lionel Messi Play when Inter Miami Visits CF Montreal?

One of the biggest soccer stars in the world is headed to Quebec on Saturday night when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami travel to face CF Montreal in MLS action at Stade Saputo.

It’s been a week since Inter Miami was bounced for the FIFA Club World Cup by Messi’s former side, PSG, so head coach Javier Mascherano has already dismissed the idea of leaving Messi in Florida. That makes it very likely he’ll be in the starting XI on Saturday.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, torched Montreal for two goals and an assist in a 4-2 victory when the teams met in Florida on May 28. The Argentine legend last played in Canada on April 24 in Vancouver. The Whitecaps took that match 2-0 in the first semifinal leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup at B.C. Place Stadium.

At 38, Messi still has a lot left in the tank to compete at the top level of Major League Soccer. The reigning league MVP has 10 goals and six assists in 13 MLS games for Miami this season.

The Herons are now turning their attention back to the Supporters’ Shield with 11 points separating them from first place Philadelphia. That gap is misleading as Miami didn’t play an MLS game in the month of June because of the Club World Cup. Domestically, they’re coming off a stretch in May that saw them net three or more goals in five of seven MLS games.

Meanwhile, CF Montreal is dead last in the Eastern Conference and they didn’t pick up their first home win of the season until a 1-0 victory against New York City FC last week.

Make sure to check out our complete match preview and prediction.