Lionel Messi ‘will play’ as Inter Miami prepares for sub-zero Champions Cup match in K.C.

Inter Miami are preparing for frigid temperatures in their official 2025 debut and, as of Monday, that will still involve Lionel Messi.

Despite unconfirmed reports over the weekend that put Messi’s availability in doubt, the 37-year-old will travel with Miami ahead of Tuesday’s match at Sporting KC and, per head coach Javier Mascherano, is expected to play in the first leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup, North America’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.

Wind chills in Kansas City are expected to have single-digit temperatures feeling as low as -18F (-28C), with the region bracing for a winter storm that has recently affected large parts of the United States. Snow is also expected in the area.

Although Messi’s participation was possibly in doubt due to the severe weather, Mascherano spoke to the media Monday and confirmed that the forward is available and “will play” — provided there is no match postponement. As of Monday morning, the match at Children’s Mercy Park remained on as scheduled.

In October, The Athletic reported that MLS officials are considering switching to a fall-spring calendar that would include breaks in the summer and winter. Among the advantages that league officials and executives have discussed is to improve MLS’ participation in the global transfer market. On the flip side, MLS teams and fans would have to contend with winter weather in some of the coldest parts of the country, such as what’s currently hitting K.C.

The winner between SKC and Miami will advance to a round-of-16 date with Jamaican side Cavalier SC, with the first leg on March 6 at home before the away leg on March 13. Should either SKC or Miami reach the quarterfinals, an all-MLS encounter would await, featuring either the Columbus Crew or the winner of the LAFC/Colorado Rapids first-round tie.

Following the Champions Cup match, Messi and Miami open their MLS regular season on Saturday with a home game against New York City FC.

In addition to the MLS regular season and the Champions Cup, Miami will participate in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. They will open the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium against Egyptian side Al Ahly FC on June 15.

(Top photo: Octavio Jones/AFP/Getty Images)