MIAMI — Lionel Messi is heading back to the Estadio Monumental.
After his final match for Argentina in early October, Argentine club River Plate announced on Friday, Nov. 13 that it will be hosting Messi and Inter Miami for a January friendly.
River calls the Monumental in Buenos Aires home and is branding the contest "un encuentro Monumental" or "a Monumental encounter." A news release suggests Messi will be joined by Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, while highlighting River Plate standouts Nicolás Otamendi and Thiago Almada, both of whom are Argentina national team veterans.
🔜 Se viene 𝐔𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥: River Plate 🆚 @InterMiamiCF
— River Plate (@RiverPlate) November 13, 2026
📆 19 de enero 2027
🏟️ Estadio Monumental pic.twitter.com/latxs050FM
River
is one of Argentina's most successful teams, having won four Copa Libertadores titles and 38 domestic titles. The Millonarios begin their quest for an additional domestic crown Nov. 22 with a playoff match against Lanus. Inter Miami begins its MLS Cup title defense the same day, with the first of a three-match playoff series against the Columbus Crew.
When will Lionel Messi play at the Monumental?
The match is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.
Past seasons have seen Miami embark upon a globe-trotting preseason tour with stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan.
Last year, though, Miami's travel schedule was less hectic with stops in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
This year, with Miami again qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup and with MLS conducting upon a sprint season beginning Feb. 19 before switching to a calendar running summer through spring, it looks likely the Herons will be more focused on the Americas in preparation for a busy opening stretch.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi to make return to Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires
