Lionel Messi and Inter Miami return to action on the road against Orlando City on Sunday, March 1 on Apple TV’s Sunday Night Soccer.
Messi is healthy and available to play in the match, which would be his first in Orlando despite being in MLS since July 2023.
Messi has not visited Orlando due to various injuries when Inter Miami has been scheduled to face their in-state rivals in the MLS’ Florida Derby in the last three seasons.
Orlando City dominated the series, outscoring Inter Miami 7-1 in two league matches last season. But Messi scored twice including twice during their last matchup, a 3-1 in during last season’s Leagues Cup tournament.
Overall, Messi scored six goals in four matches against Orlando City during his career.
Here’s what you need to know about the Orlando City vs. Inter Miami matchup:
What time is the Orlando City vs. Inter Miami match?
The match begins at 7 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Orlando City vs. Inter Miami match?
The Orlando City vs. Inter Miami match will be available on Apple TV.
Germán Berterame speaks to media
New Inter Miami star Germán Berterame, who joined the club from Liga MX side Monterrey in the offseason, is set to play in his Florida Derby match. He scored his first goal for the club during a preseason match against Ecuadorian side Barcelona S.C. on Feb. 7.
“I’m really eager to play in the derby, because we all know what it means to play in one,” Berterame said about facing Orlando City. “I see the group as very content, very motivated and really enthusiastic. So hopefully, it will be a great match.”
Inter Miami to visit White House
Inter Miami will visit President Donald Trump and the White House to celebrate its 2025 MLS Cup title before an match upcoming against D.C. United, a club source confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t yet announced the plans.
Messi taken down by fan in Puerto Rico
Before the Orlando City match, catch up on this Messi news from last week:
Several pitch invaders disrupted the final minutes of a rescheduled match in Puerto Rico on Thursday Feb. 26, including one who hugged Messi and knocked him to the ground as a security guard tried to restrain the fan.
Messi was not injured after the sequence, and finished the match. He scored a penalty in the 70th minute to deliver a 2-1 win against Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle.
The match followed Inter Miami’s season-opening 3-0 loss to LAFC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule
- March 7: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- March 11: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
- March 14: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
- March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
- March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. (MLS regular season)
