Lionel Messi will open a new one MLS season in less than a week when InterMiami CF travels to the West Coast to cope Son Heung-min‘S FC Los Angeles in the season opener on Saturday, February 21. However, Argentina could face a potential setback, when a star teammate is in doubt before the match.
MLS scheduled the opener between Inter Miami and LAFC to Messi and Sontwo of the league’s biggest stars, on the same field. However, with the Argentine struggling with a muscle injury in his left hamstring, his availability is in doubt, and he may not be the only one at risk of missing the match.
As reported by journalist José Armando: new striker Germán Berterame has yet to receive his work visa. The reporter noted that the process in these cases could be completed in the coming days, but less than a week remains before kickoff. it remains possible that the Mexican international will miss the match MLS opener.
InterMiami invested $15 million to acquire Berterame from CF Monterrey to give Messi a big attacking boost. The striker already made his debut against Atlético Nacional in Colombia and scored his first unofficial goal in a 2-2 draw against Barcelona SC. Although he is expected to be the team’s starting forward, the paperwork could prevent him from making his official debut with the Herons.
German Berterame from Inter Miami.
Coach Mascherano on Inter Miami’s preseason and bureaucracy issues
After traveling to Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, Inter Miami would close out the preseason against one of South America’s top teams, Independiente del Valle, in Puerto Rico. Messi’s last-minute injury forced last Friday’s match to be postponedwith head coach Javier Mascherano calling it a disgrace.
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Still, the Argentine manager shared his assessment of the team’s preseason via Inter Miami’s social channels: “Overall, we have had a good pre-season. We built up the training load and completed the sessions we had planned. We have also been able to give minutes to each of the players so that they can achieve full match fitness. And now comes the most important part: competition.“
Before the game against LAFC, Mascherano also pointed out possible last-minute roster complications. “We are still making a number of adjustments due to visa matters and certain administrative mattersIn this competition it can sometimes be a bit more complicated to have everyone available at the same time. But we are hopeful that we will be fully ready for Saturday’s match.he added, avoiding addressing Berterame’s situation directly.
LAFC hopes to see Messi on the pitch
Inter Miami will travel to LAFC in their first MLS match since 2023, when the Herons recorded a 3-1 victory. With not only Messi but also Son expected to star in the match, the club has decided to move the game to a larger venue.
Instead of hosting the match at the BMO Stadium, the match between Messi’s Inter Miami and Son’s LAFC on February 21 will be played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With a capacity of up to 77,000 and expected sellout crowds, it will be the first time LAFC has moved a home game from their usual stadium to the historic home of the USC Trojans.
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