Messi and Inter Miami settled for a scoreless draw against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field in front of 62,358 fans – the most to watch any Fire match in franchise history.
Messi missed a shot on goal in the fourth minute, and two opportunities to score free kicks in the second half in his first match against the Chicago Fire since joining Major League Soccer in July 2023.
Messi nearly had the game-winning assist to Luis Suarez in the 87th minute, but referees ruled Suarez offsides as he corralled a long pass from Messi near midfield before sending it into the back of the net.
Chicago missed two moments late to pull off the upset when Jonathan Bamba was stopped twice by Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari in the 88th and 89th minutes of the match.
However, Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady kept Messi and Suarez out of the net and handed Inter Miami its first scoreless match of the 2025 MLS season.
The match was a bit of a snoozer before the late surge in action, three days after Messi had two goals and an assist to help Inter Miami advance past Los Angeles FC in their thrilling Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals last Wednesday.
Messi has played every minute in Inter Miami’s last four matches, and the Chicago match was an ideal opportunity to maintain his fitness with four more matches to end the month of April.
Messi and Inter Miami have six days until their next match on Saturday in Cleveland against the Columbus Crew.
Inter Miami will play two matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps later this month in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament: at Vancouver on April 24, and at home on April 30.
Inter Miami also had its home match against FC Dallas moved from April 26 to April 27 at 5 p.m. ET to accommodate for the Champions Cup matches.
“We come with a very, very big load not only physically, but also mentally. So not losing is always important, too,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the draw.
“I’ll take the positives, which is that we didn’t concede a goal. We’d been conceding goals for three games, and today we kept a clean sheet. … Now, luckily, we have a long week of work, which is a bit of a break for us, after the start of the season we’ve had.”
Inter Miami sits in third place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 15 points behind Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati (16 points each) before the Columbus Crew (15 points) plays at St. Louis on ‘Sunday Night Soccer.’
Although Messi missed the last two Inter Miami matches in Chicago due to injury, this was his second match in the city in the last year.
Messi came off the bench, but was also scoreless as Angel Di Maria led Argentina to a 1-0 win against Ecuador on June 9, 2024 before Copa America last summer.
Messi was injured toward the end of his first season with Inter Miami, missing a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on Oct. 4, 2023 when the Fire set their previous attendance record with 62,124 fans. Messi also was recovering from his Copa America ankle injury, when Inter Miami beat Chicago 4-1 on Aug. 31, 2024.
“It’s nice to see the stadium filled,” Chicago Fire coach Gregg Berhalter said after the match. “I think both teams put on a good effort and a good show for the fans.”
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire highlights
Chicago misses two chances in closing minutes: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Chicago missed its moment when Jonathan Bamba’s shot was blocked Inter Miami goalie Oscar Ustari, and Maren Haile-Selassie missed a putback wide right of the net in the 88th minute. One minute later, Bamba was stopped by Ustari in another head-on opportunity.
Luis Suarez score goal, but ruled offsides: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi nearly winded up with a game-winning assist, but Luis Suarez was ruled offsides following a long pass by Messi that he sent into the net in the 87th minute.
Messi missed free kick in 77th minute: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi was unable to convert again on a free kick in the 77th minute, sailing his kick over the net. Messi contested Chicago’s defensive line was closer than the 10 yards they were supposed to be lined up. Either way, this match remains scoreless.
Chicago’s Sergio Oregel fouled Messi in the 76th minute to create the chance.
Messi free kick off the crossbar: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi struck a free kick off the crossbar in the 64th minute of the match, one of the few Messi moments in Chicago. The opportunity was created after Messi was tripped by Chicago Fire defender Jack Elliott in the 62nd minute.
Messi fires first shot, but misses: Chicago 0, Inter Miami 0
Messi fired a shot toward the net to start the fourth minute, but Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady was able to deflect it.
How to watch Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Inter Miami starting lineup: Is Messi playing?
Yes, Messi was announced as a starter in Inter Miami’s starting lineup.
When was the last time Messi had played in Chicago?
If Messi plays, it will be his first match with Inter Miami in Chicago after missing matches in the last two years due to injury.
However, it’ll be his second time in as many years playing in the city: He came off the bench during a pre-Copa America friendly in Argentina’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on June 9, 2024.
Messi was injured toward the end of his first season with Inter Miami, missing a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on Oct. 4, 2023. He was also recovering from his Copa America ankle injury, when Inter Miami beat Chicago 4-1 on Aug. 31, 2024.
Inter Miami will face Vancouver in Champions Cup semifinal
Messi and Inter Miami will play two matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps later this month in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.
Inter Miami will visit Vancouver at BC Place on April 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET for the first leg of their semifinal. Inter Miami will host Vancouver in the second leg on April 30 at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
Saturday: Columbus vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS)
April 24: Vancouver vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
April 27: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 5 p.m. ET (MLS)
April 30: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET