Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have a weird quirk in their schedule: They’ll return to action on Thursday, Feb. 26 for a preseason friendly despite playing their MLS season opener last weekend.
Messi and Inter Miami face Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A champions Independiente del Valle at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
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The club also helnd an open training session for fans on Wednesday, Feb. 25 after arriving in Puerto Rico.
The match was supposed to be the fourth and final preseason match for the reigning MLS Cup champions, but it was postponed from its original Feb. 13 date due to Messi sustaining a recurring left hamstring injury. Messi posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, apologizing to fans for the postponement.
It was a far cry from the confrontational manner he showed referees, following their season-opening 3-0 loss to LAFC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
More: Lionel Messi regrets not learning English: ‘What an idiot’
Messi was demonstratively upset after the match, needing to be held back by close friend and teammate Luis Suárez while confronting officials in the tunnel area at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Messi was fouled at least twice near the penalty area during the match, but those fouls were not called in his favor.
MLS said Messi did not break any rules entering a public space, and won’t face any disciplinary action for the matter, according to reports.
“We’re calm. The result wasn’t what we expected, obviously, but there’s plenty of time to keep working and turn the situation around,” Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon said of the defeat.
Inter Miami’s second match of the MLS season will be on the road against Orlando City on March 1. Messi has yet to face Orlando City on the road since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.
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What time is the Inter Miami vs. Independiente del Valle match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Puerto Rico, 9:30 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs Independiente del Valle match
The match will be broadcast by OneFootball.
Inter Miami upcoming schedule
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Feb. 26: Inter Miami vs. Independiente del Valle, 7 p.m. ET (preseason)
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March 1: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 7 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 7: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 14: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
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March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. (MLS regular season)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Messi, Inter Miami vs Independiente match in Puerto Rico
