Messi Begins MLS Season

Image credits: Credits not available, (Cover Image from IMAGO)

Lionel Messi is set to begin his new MLS season with Inter Miami, and the Argentine wizard remains the face of the league and soccer in the United States. With the MLS season opening, Messi will take center stage, and his team will face New York City FC in the opener. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm local time on Saturday, and it will be available for live streaming on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass.

Messi's contract expires after this season, and Miami's owners say they will do what it takes to retain him through at least 2026, when Miami Freedom Park is scheduled to open and the World Cup comes to North America. The team has one aim this time around — winning the MLS Cup. Though the league leaders are celebrated and get to lift the Supporters' Shield, the true champion in MLS is considered to be the post-season playoff winner. Last season, that was LA Galaxy, as Inter Miami suffered a shock playoff exit at the hands of Atlanta United.

The test for Miami this season will be on Javier Mascherano's coaching and how the rest of their roster performs alongside Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Do they have the quality depth and game plan to deal with the rigours of MLS and Concacaf? It doesn’t get much more rigorous than their midweek experience. Having topped the overall table with an MLS-record points haul in 2024, Inter Miami have one aim this time around — winning the MLS Cup.

Here are the match details:

• Match: Inter Miami vs New York City
• Time: 7:30 pm ET
• Date: Saturday, February 22
• Live Streaming: Apple TV via MLS Season Pass

The viewers in the USA can livestream the Inter Miami vs New York City match through Apple TV. The match will start at 7:30 pm ET in the USA and other respective time zones. In India, the kickoff time of the match is 6:00 am IST on Sunday, and it will be available for live streaming on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass.

Messi's presence in the MLS has drawn attention to the league and soccer as a whole, but his reluctance to engage with the media and public has raised questions about his impact on the sport. Despite this, Messi remains a supernatural figure who continues to delight the public with his tricks and treats on the pitch. His artistry on the field is undeniable, and fans have had the pleasure of celebrating soccer's modern-day genius. The sport is in a much better place than it was during the Pelé and Beckham years, but it also would benefit from Messi appearing on “SportsCenter” once in a while or joining Jimmy Fallon for a shooting contest.