Lionel Messi will return to the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires on January 19, 2027, to play an international friendly match for Inter Miami against River Plate as part of the MLS side’s pre-season preparation.
The fixture marks Messi’s first appearance at the Monumental since his final match for the Argentina national team on October 6, 2026, against Benin, as.com reported. Throughout his career with the Argentina national team, Messi played 29 matches at the Estadio Vespucio Liberti, scoring 20 goals and finishing undefeated with 23 wins and 6 draws.
🔜 Se viene Un encuentro Monumental: River Plate 🆚 Inter Miami CF 📆 19 de enero 2027 🏟️ Estadio Monumental 🔗 https://t.co/7FDxJDbDcA pic.twitter.com/LdlHpGLKiL
Organized by COC Global, the January encounter brings the MLS franchise to Argentina for the first time in a club fixture. Inter Miami previously hosted Newell’s Old Boys in Florida in early 2024, but the trip to Buenos Aires presents a new logistical and commercial challenge for the North American side.
The match represents the second time Messi has faced an Argentine club while playing for Inter Miami, alongside three previous encounters against Argentine teams during his time with Barcelona, which included the 2009 Club World Cup final against Estudiantes de La Plata and the 2015 Club World Cup final against River Plate.
| Fixture Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | January 19, 2027 |
| Venue | Estadio Más Monumental, Buenos Aires |
| Teams | River Plate vs. Inter Miami |
The exhibition match will assemble a collection of global talent and recent World Cup winners. Inter Miami’s traveling squad is slated to feature Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, Casemiro, Nicolás Otamendi, and Thiago Almada alongside Messi, Goal.com noted.
For River Plate, the match functions as a demanding high-profile test at the start of their summer schedule. Details regarding ticket sales and broadcast schedules will be announced by the event organizers in the coming weeks.
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⚽️ RIVER Y EL INTER DE MIAMI DE LIONEL MESSI JUGARÁN UN AMISTOSO EN EL MONUMENTAL El encuentro se llevará a cabo el próximo 19 de enero de 2027 y contará con la presencia de las figuras de ambas instituciones. Más información ⬇️https://t.co/YkAUFUVntp
