Only six days and one preseason match remain for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before the start of the 2024 MLS season.

But this match holds a special place in the hearts of Messi and Inter Miami coach Tata Martino. 

Messi will start as Inter Miami hosts Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys to end their lengthy preseason on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Newell’s is the hometown club where Messi’s illustrious career began before stops in Barcelona, Paris and Miami, while Martino played and coached for the team based in Rosario, Argentina. 

“Clearly I have a very special bond with Newell’s and surely it will be a wonderful night for me and all the people who come to the game,” Martino said during a news conference Wednesday. “I never could have imagined as a young player with Newell's that one day I would be here coaching this game.”

How to watch Messi match today? 

Inter Miami’s match against Newell’s Old Boys at 7:30 p.m. is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. 

When does Inter Miami’s season begin? 

Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the 2024 MLS season Feb. 21 at home against Real Salt Lake, and will travel to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25.

How much will Messi play? 

Messi is expected to start in Thursday’s match and could see some extended minutes with Inter Miami’s season opener only six days away, Martino said. 

After a groin injury sidelined Messi for a match in Hong Kong earlier this month, causing outrage among fans and officials in China, he returned to action in Tokyo to play 30 minutes against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe and he appeared close to full strength. 

“If everything goes as it is going, [Messi] will be in good shape for the beginning of the season,” Martino said. 

What did Messi say about his injury? 

Messi, during a rare news conference in Tokyo Feb. 6, said he had a hip adductor injury he suffered while in Saudi Arabia for two matches Jan. 29 and 31. Although an MRI found no injury, Messi said he still experienced discomfort.

“Unfortunately, it is something that happens in football, in any game it can happen that we get injured. It happened to me and I couldn’t be in the game in Hong Kong, and it’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these types of games where we traveled so far and people were so excited to watch us play,” Messi said.

Lionel Messi injury timeline: What led to Messi’s hip adductor injury?

∎Jan. 29: Messi scored on a penalty kick and played to the 88th minute against Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal, where he first experienced the injury.

∎Jan. 31: Messi practiced with Inter Miami, one day before Al Nassr match, leading to the MRI evaluation.

∎Feb. 1: Messi did not start, but came on as a substitute against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. He entered in the 83rd minute and played through six minutes of extra time conservatively.

∎Feb. 3: Messi ran around Hong Kong Stadium and participated in some light workouts with Inter Miami teammates.

∎Feb. 4: Messi was listed as a substitute on Inter Miami’s roster for the Hong Kong match, but Inter Miami did not list him on their roster published on social media. He did not play.

∎Feb. 6: Messi shares he has a hip adductor injury and experienced discomfort. Messi said the injury was an "unlucky" situation, and hopes to play again in Hong Kong if the opportunity arises.

∎Feb. 7: Messi entered in the 60th minute and played to the end of Inter Miami’s match against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, and appeared close to full strength.